Cameroon’s Ministry of Social Affairs (MINAS) has forged a partnership with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to combat hunger and malnutrition in the country.
The agreement was formalized in Yaounde on Friday, March 22, by Social Affairs Minister, Pauline Irene Nguene, and WFP’s Country Director, Wanja Kaaria.
The agreement signalled the start of collaborative efforts to tackle the root causes of hunger and malnutrition notably in three regions of Cameroon, which are battling with armed conflicts.
Central to the partnership is the establishment of an integrated system aimed at providing comprehensive support to vulnerable communities.
This includes the construction of special canteens in support centers for vulnerable children and the creation of a National Solidarity Fund to enhance social protection initiatives.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and WFP will work hand in hand to implement these measures, with WFP providing technical assistance to ensure effective execution.
“By joining forces with our ministerial department, the PAM, following other national and international partners, in turn, justifies this requirement for intersectoral social action,” Minister Irene Nguene said.
For WFP, this collaboration is part of its broader mission to achieve zero hunger by 2030.
“Together, we identify children for school feeding programs, a vital safety net for thousands of children across Cameroon,” the WFP said.
The organization will leverage its expertise to identify children for school feeding programs, which serve as vital safety nets for thousands of children across Cameroon.
Despite progress, food insecurity remains a significant concern in Cameroon, particularly in the Far North Region and the two Anglophone Regions.
As of March 2023, 11 percent of the population faced acute food insecurity, representing approximately 3 million people, according to OCHA.
While this figure decreased slightly to 10.6 percent by October 2023, the underlying challenges persist, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts and instability.
The partnership between the Government of Cameroon and WFP represents a crucial step towards addressing food insecurity and building resilience among vulnerable communities.
By combining resources and expertise, both parties are poised to make strides in the fight against hunger and malnutrition, ultimately improving the well-being of millions of Cameroonians.
