A nutritional survey 2007 of WFP Country Programme activities found that Food for Education also had a significant impact on child malnutrition:

Children in school feeding assisted schools are five times more likely not to suffer from anemia than children who are not assisted by school feeding.
The average hemoglobin concentration of children from FFE assisted schools is 11 percent higher than the average hemoglobin concentration among children from non-school feeding assisted schools.

What plans are there for making school lunches available for all children?

We have been working very closely with the Government of Bangladesh for the implementation of the school feeding programme since 2001. The Government appreciates WFP managed school feeding model and is planning to implement the same model in a large scale under the Primary Education Sector Development Programme.

Approximately 20 million children require school feeding support in Bangladesh. WFP, in cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh, is making an effort to reach all the children through gradual expansion in the most poverty prone areas.

What would be the sources of funding for any expansion of the school feeding program? What has been the effect of rising food prices in this funding effort?

Foreign donations are definitely vital for funding the expansion of school feeding programme. Administrative and cash/kind support from the Government of Bangladesh is instrumental.

A wave of food-price inflation has drastically increased the levels of hunger and poverty in the country. The phenomenon is affecting everyone on the planet- but the poorest are hardest hit. Rising food prices are affecting this funding effort very critically because the school feeding provides food to the children every school day. Current cost is US$22 child/year, while in the last year it was only US$13.20 child/year. We need almost a doubling of funding to continue feeding the current caseload.

However, our current pipeline situation is terrible due to the skyrocketing prices of food. To avoid the pipeline break, we have to spend a lot of time negotiating with the potential donors and the Government of Bangladesh for additional funding.

How can someone help the school feeding program?

For just US$22 a year (240 school days), you can help WFP provide a child with fortified biscuits at school. Please be part of the solution.