Armenia’s food situation under scrutiny in latest WFP report

food

Food is an indispensable aspect of human existence, providing the necessary nutrients and energy required for our daily activities. However, despite its critical importance, the world has been grappling with food shortages on a recurring basis.

The scarcity of food not only poses a threat to the health and well-being of individuals but also has adverse economic and social consequences, particularly in developing countries.

The challenge of addressing food scarcity requires a multi-faceted approach that considers various factors such as climate change, population growth, food waste, and conflict, among others. In this context, it is crucial to explore sustainable solutions that can mitigate the impact of food shortages and ensure food security for all.

A new report from WFP discusses the food situation in Armenia.

Under the REBCA project, which aims to enhance the resilience and economic recovery of border communities in Armenia, the WFP provided food cards and initial cash transfers to 479 households, comprising 2,116 beneficiaries in conflict-affected provinces (marzes), to assist vulnerable households in fulfilling their basic food requirements.

In collaboration with UNICEF and UNDP, the WFP has initiated a five-year project titled “Establishing a Robust Social Protection System in Armenia.” Supported by the European Union, the project aims to develop a social protection system that is responsive to shocks, strengthens an individual’s capacity to withstand adversity and vulnerability, and enhances overall resilience.

The WFP has developed an action plan for the inter-ministerial task force responsible for implementing the Shock Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) initiative. The task force comprises representatives from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (MTAI), Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), Ministry of Interior, and will be chaired by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MLSA). A meeting has been scheduled for early March to ratify the action plan and chart a course of action.

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports (MoESCS) and following consultations with all ten provinces in Armenia, the WFP has launched the Commercial School Feeding model to provide healthy meals to students in grades six to nine during school days. The consultations covered a detailed analysis and estimation of the resources required to implement the model in any school across the country.

In collaboration with the School Feeding and Child Welfare Agency (SFCWA), 163 teachers in Tavush province received coaching and methodological guidance on healthy lifestyle curricula for grades six to eight.

As part of the “Strengthening socio-economic inclusion of smallholder farmers” project, the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU), with the support of the WFP, organized a training session on sustainable farming practices for some farmers and other members in the province of Syunik.

The WFP has expanded the scope of the “Green Energy for Productive Farming” project in Gegharkunik and Shirak provinces. The project aims to create self-reliant communities with sustainable energy supplies and involves the installation of ten solar stations, each with a 40-kilowatt capacity, in Shirak and Gegharkunik provinces. To enhance community-level capacities and promote food security among farmers, the project will also offer support to 150 farmers from the ten communities, including the provision of high-value crop seedlings/saplings, drip irrigation systems, dehydrators, and training on innovative agricultural techniques.

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