In the Republic of Congo the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) provides aid for many who have suffered through the country's internal conflicts. According to WFP, "The repeated armed conflicts that the Republic of Congo experienced during the last decade have worsened the country's precarious food crop production." Food aid is needed to reinforce the peace and the reconstruction process in the Republic of Congo. Providing school meals to children is part of the World Food Programme's ongoing work in the country. In this interview with Wilfred Banmbuh, WFP country director for the Republic of Congo, we will look at how important school feeding is for ending child hunger and promoting education.

How many children are benefiting from the WFP School feeding programs within the country?

The government of the Republic of Congo and NGOs working in the education sector estimate 300,000 children from poor and food-insecure homes will be assisted by the WFP school feeding program. However, the program now provides assistance to only 63,000 beneficiaries due to insufficient resources.

Discuss what effect the meals have on the children in terms of school attendance, performance, and nutrition.

Schools are few and far between in rural areas of the Republic of Congo. Children, many as young as six, are obliged to walk long distances to the nearest school. To arrive in time for classes, they get out of bed very early and make the journey on empty stomachs. They arrive hungry and fall asleep within a few minutes of the first lesson. Consequently, attention and attendance are poor. Performance is low and dropout rates are high. A 2007 World Bank study commissioned by the Ministry of Primary Education & Literacy found that 34% of primary school children from poor homes do not complete primary school.

WFP school feeding is implemented in these rural areas. School meals not only give children strength after a long and arduous walk but also improve attendance, attention, concentration, and in turn, performance. School feeding also has a positive impact on children's nutritional status.

The WFP school feeding program is jointly implemented with other UN agencies. Children not only benefit from WFP fortified cereals and other nutritious food commodities, but also from the de-worming operation provided by UNICEF. This joint programming has an enormously effective impact on children's nutritional status.

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

WFP is discussing with the government the absolute necessity for them to partner not only in the management of the school feeding program but also in financing food procurement for the program. WFP believes its traditional donors will be more willing to fund the school feeding program if the national government is making contributions. The government made an important indication concerning its involvement early this year, and discussions are continuing. WFP plans to take action on government requests to expand the program and provide school meals to many more needy children as soon as sufficient funding is found.