Government of Japan and UNICEF Sign a US$3.4 Million New Partnership to Improve School Nutrition in the Solomon Islands
NEARLY 3,000 children in pilot schools in Isabel and Western Provinces will be directly benefiting from healthier, locally grown food and improved WASH services through the generous US$3.4 million (SBD 28.7 million) funding support from the Government and people of Japan.
Contributing towards addressing the triple burden of malnutrition in the country, the programme will guide the future national school meal programme in the Solomon Islands, eventually reaching over 30,000 children. It will also support local farmers and communities, fostering sustainable and resilient food systems for Solomon Islands.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is excited about this programme as it aligns with the government priority to strengthen food security and child nutrition through promoting the production of fresh, nutritious, locally grown foods,” said Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Hon. Franklyn Derek Wasi. “It will introduce school children to farming at a very early age and thereby attracting them to become more actively involved in many different aspects of agriculture as a full-time career.”
According to the most recent Solomon Demographic and Health Surveys, 32 per cent of children under 5 are stunted, 8 per cent are wasted (low weight for height) and 39 per cent are anaemic. Overweight and obesity affects 23 per cent of children aged between 13-17 because of unhealthy dietary habits such as low consumption of fruits and vegetables as well as high daily intake of sugary soft drinks.
Suboptimal childhood nutrition increases the risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) later in life and impose significant social as well as economic burdens.
“During the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) held in Tokyo in July 2024, Prime Minister Hon. Manele requested for assistance from the Japanese government in NCDs and agriculture,” said Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Keiichi Higuchi. “Japan hopes that this project will contribute to improving the health of the people and supporting farmers in Solomon Islands, and also to strengthening the relationship between Solomon Islands and Japan.”
The programme will help schools create and implement meal guidelines that focus on using local foods instead of unhealthy processed options. It will also improve water and sanitation facilities and create awareness amongst food handlers, teachers, and students about healthy local foods, safe food handling, and hygiene. They, in turn, will share these important messages with their families and communities.
“Children are particularly vulnerable to illnesses and diseases caused by unsafe and unhealthy food. This generous support from the Government of Japan will significantly improve access to healthy and nutritious meals for school children,” said UNICEF Pacific Representative, Jonathan Veitch. “We need to promote clean, homegrown eating habits from a young age to ensure future healthy eating.”
Surrounding communities produce nutritious foods like sweet potato, cassava, yam, taro, banana, and pumpkin. The programme will help them form cooperatives to supply fresh, local food to schools, reducing reliance on imported and processed foods. This support will lead to healthier children, boost the local economy, and promote healthy lifestyles for adults.
It will contribute to overall wellbeing and fitness, providing children with the energy and nutrients they need to perform well.
The three-year programme will be implemented by UNICEF under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, in collaboration with other line ministries and stakeholders.
Source: MAL Press Release