Post News Network
Kendrapara/Balasore, Oct 29: A three-member team of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the largest humanitarian agency providing food assistance and addressing hunger problem around the globe, Wednesday visited two primary schools in Kendrapara district to assess the mid-day meal (MDM) programme.
A six-member team led by Mariana Khaprialy, chief of super chain development service for WFP, reached the state Tuesday to analyse MDM scheme and suggest measures to improve it
by introducing modern technology. While a three-member team visited Kendrapara another three-member panel visited Balasore district.
The team accompanied by state coordinator of WFP Himanshu Bal, Kendrapara district education officer and other senior officials of the education department visited Fakirabad Primary School in Derabish block and examined the quality of food being served to schoolchildren. The experts also assessed the safety aspects of food
material during transport.
Speaking to the media, Khaprialy said, “Our job is to look into the supply chain management of the rice that is provided for MDM and suggest measures to improve the programme.”
Later, the team visited another school in Marshaghai block. During discussion with teachers and transport agencies they came across several problems related to the supply of MDM stuff. The team was told that MDM rice coming from FCI godowns to schools often fail to reach in time due to communication problems in several areas. The team would suggest measures for strengthening the rice supply chain. The team was satisfied with the hygienic condition in which food was served among schoolchildren.
The team’s visit assumes significance in the state as there have been frequent complaints about children being served with moth-eaten dal and rice.
Another WFP delegation comprising Nils Von Wasinev of Belgium, Lewis Ansas of Portugal and Sanchit Agrawal of New Delhi visited Balasore district. They held a discussion with district
education officer Hrushsikesh Kandi and district coordinator of Sarva Sikhya Abhiyan, Surendranath Sankhua about the MDM programme.
The team visited Sasanbad UGUP School at Mangalpur under Remuna block and Aladia Nodal School under Sadar block and inspected the quality of food being served to schoolchildren.
Talking to mediapersons, the team members expressed their satisfaction over implementation of the programme. They said a report about this will be submitted to the UN which will deliberate modalities on implementation of MDM in underdeveloped countries.
