School feeding programmes have proved successful in providing educational and health benefits to the most vulnerable children. They have also improved enrolment rates, household food security, nutritional status and gender equity, each of which contributes to improving the development of individuals and the whole country.
In September 2010, the Government of Cabo Verde took over responsibility for funding and managing the national school feeding programme which had been in place since 1979 under the management of WFP. The Government requested the United Nations (UN) technical support in specific areas aimed at consolidating and strengthening the gains already made in order to secure continuity of the programme.
At the time, the project covered 100 percent of public elementary schools, registering a high enrolment rate of 92 percent for the 2007/2008 school year, while supporting the food security and nutrition of students and providing social protection to the most vulnerable families. Cabo Verde is one of eight pilot countries under the UN “Delivering as One” initiative, launched by the Secretary General. This ensures that participating UN agencies in the country work in complete coordination under a common programme.