Kabul: The UN World Food Programme (WFP) on Wednesday announced a significant boost to its school meal initiative in Afghanistan, thanks to a generous $3.5 million contribution from the Government of Indonesia. The funds will enable the WFP to acquire over 1,200 metric tons of fortified biscuits, ensuring that 200,000 primary school-aged children, both girls and boys, receive sustenance for approximately three months. For many of these children, this daily snack often serves as their sole nutritious meal, providing essential energy to remain healthy, focused, and ready to learn, as noted by Mutinta Chimuka, Deputy Country Director for WFP in Afghanistan.

According to United Nations, seaweed farming has emerged as a promising driver of sustainable development in Latin America, with the sector witnessing a 66 percent growth over the past decade. A recent report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) highlights the low-carbon benefits of seaweed cultivation, which supports rural livelihoods and produces highly nutritious food. Experts at a regional workshop in Chile emphasized the importance of seaweed farming for sustainable coastal development, pointing out its nutritional benefits and the urgent need for clearer regulations.

In Somalia, hundreds of thousands are grappling with severe drought conditions in the central and northern regions. According to United Nations, the UN’s humanitarian coordination office, OCHA, reports that the drought has exacerbated food insecurity, reduced access to water and pasture, and disrupted livelihoods. A joint assessment by UN agencies and partners is underway in Puntland and Somaliland to identify critical needs. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) analysis indicates that over 880,000 Somalis reside in severely drought-affected areas across 16 districts, with water wells drying up and more than 160 boreholes non-functional. Despite the UN-managed Somalia Humanitarian Fund’s plans to allocate resources for urgent life-saving assistance, only 17 percent of the required funding has been secured so far.