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Sao Tome and Principe

WFP Sao Tome and Principe Country Brief, April 2017

Attachments

Highlights

  • The programme continues to face critical funding gaps which could put at risk the sustainability and successful implementation.

  • WFP country office continues its advocacy efforts to mobilize resource to support the school meals programme.

Operational Updates

  • The transition towards a nationally owned school meals programme continues as planned. In line with this goal, meetings with other partners and PNASE were organized. The Ministry of Education – through PNASE – will take over the management of the school meals programme. WFP continues to support capacity-strengthening initiatives, working with the Government to train staff in key ministries and departments. New forms of transfers in the school meals programme are envisaged in 2017, in line with the new objectives of the 2017–2021 UNDAF.

  • Proposals for African Development Bank (ADB) through “India Technical Cooperation Trust Fund” include: i) funds to support strengthening human resources capacity of PNASE and other Government departments, and Zero Hunger Review Strategic; and ii) joint WFP/FAO proposal to support the current school meals operation.

Challenges

  • The programme continues to face critical funding gaps which could put at risk the sustainability and successful implementation of a nationally owned school meals programme. Despite the funding constraints, the WFP country office is working to improve nutrition and the quality of school meals, through local purchases.

Partnerships

  • The Ministry of Education remains the main cooperating partner for WFP. WFP is also partnering with the European Union and local and international NGOs.