WFP launches 'Fill the Cup' campaign

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Sri Lanka said that its "Fill the Cup" campaign received a welcome boost from Astra - a brand of Unilever Sri Lanka - pledging a contribution of Rs 1.5 million to the campaign.

Fill the Cup' is a worldwide campaign, launched earlier this year to raise awareness and funds for the 59 million children in the world's developing countries who go to school hungry.

In Sri Lanka, 'Fill the Cup' aims to fill a cup with food for 350,000 schoolchildren targeted by WFP and the Government of Sri Lanka - boosting their chances for health, education and a more promising future. The WFP calculates that approximately Rs 1.2 billion is needed per year to reach 350,000 children.

While the sum may seem large, Rs 17 can provide one child with one cup of porridge or rice and curry. The price of a cup of coffee (Rs. 100) is enough to feed a child in school for one week.

WFP Representative and Country Director Adnan Khan said. "We need to lay a foundation for the future generation. Meals during school days give children the nutrition and concentration to learn and grow. School feeding jointly initiated and implemented by the government in partnership with WFP has helped improve the health and nutrition of schoolchildren by providing valuable micronutrients, vitamins and minerals and improved children's learning outcome."

Secretary of MNBEID W. K. K. Kumarasiri said, the campaign is also supported by the government through the Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development (MNBEID), WFP's implementing partner.

"With joint collaboration and partnership, we will be able to reach the most vulnerable segment of the population, which this campaign is targeting.

This is a great initiative to support school feeding to build future generations."

Head of the spreads range of products at Unilever Sri Lanka Ms Manojee Dabare said, Unilever, a corporate partner for WFP, pledged Rs. 1.5 million to enhance child vitality, through this program, helping WFP kick-start the campaign.

"Family Goodness and Together for Child Vitality" are the values embodied in Unilever's margarine range. "The mission of the flagship brand of the range, Astra, is to grow great children, which tallies exactly with the objective of this project."