WFP Continues Support Towards Indonesia's Food Security

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, on Friday released its new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2021-2025, recommitting its support to the government in its quest towards improving food security, nutrition and sustainable food systems for all. 

Based on the overall UN strategic country framework, the evaluation of the previous program, consultations with many stakeholders, and the recommendations of a Strategic Review of Food Security and Nutrition undertaken by an independent national research institution, “WFP is confident about the focus of this CSP on policy dialogue and technical assistance in the fields of food security and nutrition evidence generation, mitigation of disasters and climate change risks, and prevention of all forms of malnutrition through diversified healthy diets,” said Christa Räder, WFP Representative in Indonesia. 

Christa added that the Strategic Plan can leverage significant outreach through government systems to tens of millions of the most vulnerable people, who are at risk of being left behind as the country endeavours to get back on track following the COVID-19 crisis.

Meanwhile, the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas Suharso Monoarfa said in a statement that the Indonesian government is strongly committed to include all sectors to address the health and socio-economic effects of the pandemic. 

According to a statement on Friday, WFP will work closely with the Indonesian government under the umbrella of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021-2025. 

They will also be in close partnership with other UN agencies focusing on food security, nutrition and social protection, especially the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), UNICEF, as well as a multitude of partners in the UN, governments, development institutions, academia and research institutions, and civil society. 

Despite significant progress, Indonesia still ranks 70th out of 107 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI). Disparities remain substantial between regions when it comes to poverty, food security and nutrition. In particular, the triple burden of malnutrition is a growing concern, with high rates of undernutrition coexisting with overnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among its population. 

Massive loss in jobs and incomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic means that many vulnerable families are now experiencing difficulties in getting adequate and quality food to eat. The number of food insecure people will very likely increase this year, and this could lead to more child malnutrition cases. The pandemic also threatens to weaken people’s resilience against recurrent shocks, including those related to climate change. 

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