Chellaram Foundation is contributing to provide school meals in Sao Tome and Principe as the nation reinstates COVID-19 containment measures
SAO TOME — The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a US$700,000 contribution from the Chellaram Foundation to fund national school feeding activities that were recently suspended following a second wave of COVID-19 infections.
“With the support from Chellaram Foundation, WFP will be able to provide warm and nutritious meals each day to 25,000 of the country’s most vulnerable children for the next eight months,” said Edna Peres, Head of WFP in Sao Tome and Principe. “When working closely with the government and local NGOs, WFP can help ensure children who are most at risk of food insecurity and undernutrition receive the food they need during this difficult time, whether in school and at home.”
While schools across the country remain open, school meals will be provided through on-site food distributions to support the government’s food security, nutrition, health and educational aims in four national districts and the Autonomous Region of Principe. If school are required to close again as part of COVID-19 containment measures, the meals will be provided as take-home rations along with personal sanitation supplies for children and families during the closure.
The second wave of COVID-19 infections that struck in February has taken a heavy toll on many Santomeans’ livelihoods and incomes, especially women, children, the elderly and people living with disabilities. While schools reopened in April, school feeding programmes have remained suspended as available resources have been directed towards fighting the pandemic. Since 2020, WFP has been working closely with the government to address the socio-economic impacts of the crisis on vulnerable people throughout the country.
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About WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. We are the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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About Chellaram Foundation
Chellaram Foundation Limited is a philanthropic organisation that is dedicated to making an IMPACT on the lives of the deprived and marginalized communities including in Africa and India and providing relief to those that suffer from the causes and effects of calamities. The Foundation nurtures partnerships with organisations which can leverage its donations to make the greatest social impact.
ChellaramFoundation.com
