Islamabad: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Pakistan have announced the extension of the Benazir Nashonuma Programme (BNP), aiming to intensify efforts against malnutrition and stunting among the country’s most vulnerable groups. The renewal of this partnership was commemorated with a ceremony at the Benazir Income Support Programme headquarters in Islamabad, marking a significant step forward in the joint fight against chronic malnutrition.
According to United Nations World Food Programme, the updated agreement, which spans from September 2024 to June 2026, includes a contribution of US$ 194 million from the Pakistani government, increasing the total investment in the BNP to nearly half a billion dollars (US$453 million) since its inception in 2020. Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme, highlighted the government’s ongoing dedication to expanding the programme’s scope and efficacy to provide every child in Pakistan a healthier start to life.
BNP, initially launched in 2020, has become instrumental in addressing malnutrition and stunting, especially among households with pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under two years. The programme operates through over 550 facilitation centers nationwide, offering a range of nutrition-sensitive supports including specialized nutritious food, health services, immunizations, and cash transfers.
Coco Ushiyama, WFP’s Country Director in Pakistan, emphasized the programme’s growing impact and its role in fostering stronger partnerships and integrated approaches for the nutritional and health betterment of women and children in Pakistan. The extension of the BNP reflects its effectiveness in reducing stunting and low birthweight among the targeted groups, with more than 2.5 million women and children reached across 157 districts as of October 2024, and over 389,000 beneficiaries having completed the programme.
The success of the BNP not only underlines the fruitful cooperation between the WFP and the Government of Pakistan but also sets a precedent for international partnerships in nutrition and social protection, drawing interest from other nations and positioning Pakistan as a leader in using social safety nets to enhance nutrition security.