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WFP provides vehicle suppor to boost SAFMU’S capacity as school meals technical unit

May 9, 2016, 11:19 AM

Kanifing –The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has provided a brand new Pickup Toyota to the School Agriculture and Food Management Unit (SAFMU) of the Ministry ofBasic and Secondary Education.

This contribution is a gesture to complement the gains achieved in the management of school meals, and to ensure that the two organisations reach theobjective of establishing a national home grown school meals programme.

WFP recognizes that providing school children with daily hot meals is greatly complemented by enhanced capacities. “We are proud of the partnership with MOBSE and I assure you of WFP’s continued commitment to strengthening, and nurturing the long-standing working relation between the two institutions.”said Vitoria Ginja, Country Director of the WFP Gambia Office.

The handing over ceremony was well attended by key stakeholders including the Honourable Minister of Basic and Secondary, the Permanent Secretary and other dignitaries.

“We are pleased to receive this vehicle from one of our strongest partners in The Gambia”, said Honourable Minister, Mrs. Fatou Lamin Faye.

In addition, to the vehicle handing over, MOBSE and WFP took the opportunity to officially sign a joint work plan 2016/17 under the current school meals project - Establishing the Foundation for a Nationally-Owned Sustainable School Feeding Program.

Since the inception of the joint work with SAFMU, the technical unit under the Ministry responsible for school meals implementation, WFP has provided technical and in-kind support in the form of office equipment.This is the second time that WFP has provided assistance the unit. The Ministry commends the donation and urges SAFMU to utilise it effectively.