Meals for 1850 Young Students in Pakistan

by Fatima Memorial Hospital
Meals for 1850 Young Students in Pakistan

Project Report | May 10, 2024
Food Scarcity and Nutrition Security in Punjab

By Huzaifa Kermani | Group Director MarComms

Introduction

Food scarcity and nutrition security are critical issues that affect the well-being and development of individuals and communities. In Punjab, Pakistan, these challenges persist, impacting vulnerable populations. Let’s explore the current situation and how the NUR Foundation’s daily meal provisions play a crucial role.

The Current Situation in Punjab

According to a recent study using updated cross-sectional data from the Household Integrated Economic Survey (HIES) 2018-19, the following findings highlight the food and nutrition security situation in Punjab1:

  1. Household Food Insecurity:

    • Approximately 35.5% of households in Punjab experience food insecurity in terms of daily caloric intake.
    • This means that a significant portion of the population lacks consistent access to sufficient and nutritious food.
  2. Provincial Comparison:

    • Balochistan has the highest percentage of food-insecure households (53.3%), followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (49.5%), Sindh (43.9%), and Punjab (35.5%).
    • Punjab, despite being the breadbasket of Pakistan, faces its own challenges related to food access and availability.
  3. Protein Deficit:

    • A protein deficit affects 44.6% of the entire population across all provinces.
    • Adequate protein intake is essential for overall health and development.
  4. Balanced Diet Gap:

    • More than 55.9% of households do not consume a balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, protein, and fats.
    • Lack of dietary diversity contributes to malnutrition and health issues.

The Role of NUR Foundation’s Daily Meals

The NUR Foundation’s Community Outreach Program, specifically the NUR Food Bank, plays a vital role in addressing food scarcity among school-going children. Here’s how:

  1. Daily Meal Provision:

    • The NUR Food Bank provides daily meals to children attending NUR Foundation Schools.
    • By ensuring consistent access to nutritious meals, the foundation directly combats hunger and malnutrition.
  2. Impact on Education:

    • When children receive regular meals, they can focus better on their studies.
    • Proper nutrition enhances cognitive development, concentration, and overall academic performance.
  3. Long-Term Benefits:

    • Alleviating hunger among school children contributes to the socio-economic success of the nation.
    • Well-nourished children are more likely to break the cycle of poverty and become productive members of society.

Recommendations and Way Forward

To further alleviate food scarcity in Punjab, we recommend the following:

  1. Scaling Up Daily Meals:

    • The NUR Foundation should continue its efforts to provide daily meals to more schools and children.
    • Collaborate with local communities, government agencies, and donors to expand the program.
  2. Nutrition Education:

    • Alongside meal provisions, educate children and their families about balanced diets, hygiene, and healthy eating habits.
    • Empower parents to make informed choices for their children’s nutrition.
  3. Advocacy and Policy Support:

    • Advocate for policies that prioritize food security and nutrition.
    • Engage with policymakers to address systemic challenges related to agriculture, distribution, and affordability.

In conclusion, the NUR Foundation’s commitment to daily meals contributes significantly to alleviating food scarcity in Punjab. By nourishing young minds, we pave the way for a healthier and more prosperous future for all.

 

Sources:

  1. Abdul Hameed, Ihtsham Ul Haq Padda, & Shahid Karim. “Spatial analysis of food and nutrition security in Pakistan: a holistic pathway towards zero hunger policies.” GeoJournal, Volume 88, 20231
  2. Sahil organization report. Published by Dawn Newspaper, August 26, 2020
Students in Line to Receive Meals
Students in Line to Receive Meals
Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can recieve an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.

Sign up for updates

Organization Information

Fatima Memorial Hospital

Location: Lahore, Punjab - Pakistan
Website:
Facebook: Facebook Page
Twitter: @nur_crp
Project Leader:
Arif Kabani
Lahore , Punjab Pakistan
$20,784 raised of $74,000 goal
 
280 donations
$53,216 to go
Donate Now
lock
Donating through GlobalGiving is safe, secure, and easy with many payment options to choose from. View other ways to donate

Fatima Memorial Hospital has earned this recognition on GlobalGiving:

Help raise money!

Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.

Start a Fundraiser

Learn more about GlobalGiving

Teenage Science Students
Vetting +
Due Diligence

Snorkeler
Our
Impact

Woman Holding a Gift Card
Give
Gift Cards

Young Girl with a Bicycle
GlobalGiving
Guarantee

Get incredible stories, promotions, and matching offers in your inbox

WARNING: Javascript is currently disabled or is not available in your browser. GlobalGiving makes extensive use of Javascript and will not function properly with Javascript disabled. Please enable Javascript and refresh this page.