The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the Kyrgyzstan Republic Ministry of Education and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has launched a three-year project worth US$10 million to boost the health and nutrition of school-aged children.
The project will directly benefit 15,000 children-at least half of whom are girls in 40 schools across Batken, Jalal-Abad, Osh, Chuy, and Naryn provinces. 1,000 smallholder farmers will also benefit from a holistic approach under the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, providing fresh, locally grown food to schools.
Kitchens and sanitation facilities will be upgraded to support children develop healthy habits, improve their capacity to learn, and deliver long lasting benefits to smallholder farmers and communities across the region.
"KOICA is proud to partner with the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic and WFP to create a sustainable environment for children's health and nutrition. By connecting local farmers to schools and investing in modern facilities at schools, we are not only improving children's lives but also strengthening communities and supporting inclusive rural development," said So Yeon Lim, Country Director of KOICA Office in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Despite progress, the Kyrgyz Republic continues to face challenges in food security, nutrition, and access to clean and inclusive school facilities, especially in rural and mountainous areas. This new initiative builds on the experience of previously implemented projects by WFP and KOICA and is closely aligned with the country's development priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"This partnership marks a significant step toward ensuring that children in the Kyrgyz Republic have access to nutritious meals and inclusive school environment. By working together, we are building resilient food systems and empowering smallholder farmers, especially women, to play a vital role in their communities," said Kojiro Nakai, WFP Representative and Country Director.
In addition to improving school meals and connecting farmers to schools, the project will focus on strengthening institutional capacities at every level-from national and district-level officials to local communities. Project activities will help farmers participate in government procurement and build the Ministry of Education's capacity to manage and sustain the programme, ensuring long-term impact and quality.
