Peru: PM, WFP Regional Director agree on joint work to guarantee food security

Photo: Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru

Photo: Presidency of the Council of Ministers of Peru

10:00 | Lima, Sep. 3.

In order to guarantee food security in the context of international crisis, Peruvian Prime Minister Anibal Torres met with United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Regional Director Maria Dolores Castro, whom he thanked for the organization's commitment to eradicate hunger and malnutrition.

"The technical assistance provided by the WFP to Peru is invaluable since it enables us to strengthen capacities and promote public policies on food security and nutrition with the aim of achieving the Zero Hunger goal," Torres expressed. 

The Cabinet chief highlighted the food and humanitarian assistance provided by the WFP to Peru's most vulnerable population since May 2020 due to the COVID-19 crisis, and at the special request of the Peruvian Government.

Likewise, the high-ranking official pointed out that the Peru Country Strategic Plan 2023-2026 —prepared by the WFP— will be approved next November.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Torres highlighted the similarities between the plan and the Second Agrarian Reform promoted by the Peruvian Government and which includes food security as the main aspect.

For her part, the WFP official emphasized the organization's commitment to work with the region's governments that face unfavorable conditions —as a result of the economic impacts of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

"At this moment, the WFP seeks to promote purchases from small producers. For example, we are buying hundreds of tons of food from cooperatives that have become associates, namely of women who have been provided practical training," she said.

In turn, Prime Minister Torres suggested the participation of the WFP as a guest in the Multisectoral Commission on Food and Nutritional Security (COMSAN) in order to contribute with technical advice and knowledge of the fieldwork.

Moreover, he highlighted the contribution of the WFP to the execution of projects in various parts of the country, such as Lima, Callao, Piura, Ancash, Lambayeque, San Martin, Ayacucho, La Libertad, Tumbes, Loreto, Arequipa, and Junin regions.

The meeting was also attended by Agrarian Development and Irrigation Minister Andres Alencastre; WFP Representative in Peru, Sarah Laughton; and Senior National Official for Public Policies and Alliances at the WFP in Peru, Anibal Velasquez.

(END) NDP/MVB

Published: 9/3/2022