Maputo, 5th july 2013 - A food security and nutrition programme partnership agreement between the Government of Mozambique, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Organization for International Cooperation Projects for development (DISOP), the Socialistische Solidariteit (FOS) and the United Nations was signed on the 4th of July in Maputo, capital of Mozambique. From the UN side, the agreement was signed by the Resident Coordinator, Mrs. Jennifer Topping, and the Representatives from the involved UN agencies, namely the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Food Program (WFP) and the United Nations Fund for Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).

The objective of the program is to improve food and nutrition security of vulnerable households in Gaza province, in Chigubo, Mabalane Guijá, Massingir Massangena and Chicualacuala. Activities will be implemented for a period of five years in the areas of governance, livelihoods, agricultural techniques, disaster risk management and systems to increase agricultural production. The program is budgeted at 16 million Euros, of which 70%, equivalent to 11.9 million, will be made available by the Government of the Kingdom of Belgium by the Belgian Fund for Food Security (BFFS).

During the signing ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Daniel Clement said that "the framework of food security and nutrition, properly implemented, will be of significant contribution for the improvement of livelihoods for local communities in that province. "For the Belgian Government, represented by the head of mission in Mozambique, Mr. Marc Deneer, "the implementation of this program will improve the living conditions of a population group living in difficult conditions in selected districts. We are glad to be able to facilitate this initiative and appreciate the commitment of all partners to the implementation phase of the program. "

During her speech, Ms. Jennifer Topping, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Mozambique, said that "the involvement and contribution of Belgium will enable the UN to increase its support to the efforts of the Government of Mozambique in achieving food security and nutrition, which is one of the Millennium Development Goals that poses more challenges."

The signing of the agreement represents an effort to ensure the complementarity of interventions from the parties involved and to strengthen joint work with national authorities and other stakeholders. It is hoped that with this new approach NGOs, UN agencies and government institutions increase joint collaboration in order to achieve the same goals of reducing food insecurity and improving poverty alleviation, thus increasing the impact of interventions to the most vulnerable households.

For further information:

FAO
Lecio Munguambe
Communication Officer
Maputo, Mozambique
E-mail: [email protected]

WFP
Jeronimo Tovela
Communication and Public Information Officer
Maputo, Mozambique
E-mail: [email protected]