Forty years of fighting has driven more than 1.5 million people from their homes. Today, Colombia has the third largest number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the world, exceeded only by Sudan and Angola. The World Food Program’s (WFP) school feeding operations are active in 13 provinces in central and northern Colombia that have the greatest numbers of displaced families. Target schools are located in depressed and dangerous urban centers where WFP feeds 64,467 students, using food to attract children to school and to alleviate immediate and chronic hunger.

Every fifteen days, WFP delivers food to more than 200 schools across an area that spans almost half of the country. A snack consisting of a fortified biscuit and fruit juice is given to the children each morning and may be the only food they receive the day. The project has been successful in reducing absenteeism and in attracting resources from local authorities. The number of children per classroom has also increased in the last three years since the program has been operating.

The community’s gratitude and support for the program is evident in the high levels of parent participation. Parent-teacher associations are well organized and extremely active. Once the food arrives at the schools, parents, teachers and students check the shipments to confirm quantity and quality. Many hold special events for local authorities to demonstrate program benefits and promote greater levels of municipal support.

Daily life in Colombia is marred by internal violence among various armed groups. This results in population displacement, poverty and the attendant food insecurity and hunger. The number of municipalities affected by conflict rose from 130 in 1999 to 911 in 2002 or 82% of the country. 57% of the Colombian population lives in poverty, and one out of every four Colombians are unable to meet basic daily needs. Urban households headed by women are especially vulnerable to food insecurity.

The school feeding project primarily benefits the children of farmers and rural agricultural workers. Displaced by violence, families flee the countryside, relocating precariously, in semi-urban and urban reception areas. Most families in transition from relief to resettlement lack access to basics in the marketplace due to the continuing civil insecurity.

Hunger becomes a paramount concern for many displaced families when initial government resettlement assistance ends. Without aid, the families must still meet basic needs and find safe water, fuel and food. As a priority, education trails behind these survival basics.

Recent studies have shown that 2l% of IDPs over six years of age receive no formal education. 57% complete some primary school education and 21% have been to secondary school. Only 36% of the IDP population graduates from primary school and only 8complete secondary school. (CODHES, 2001)

A WFP study on food security of displaced households shows that education remains important to displaced families, even when there are significant barriers to student enrollment and attendance. When given the opportunity, 75% of displaced children go to school. Still many families face economic circumstances that prevent their children from getting a basic education. Some of the most common obstacles include:

The USDA contribution consisted of a one-time shipment of wheat. The donation supported the distribution of morning snacks for 160 school days. Food is purchased on the basis of a call for tender system that follows WFP rules and procedures. Supply and delivery risks are borne by the private suppliers or transporters. Transport costs from the operational base to beneficiary settlements are covered by the Government as part of its contribution to the effort.

The project was approved for three years and was completed in July 2003.

During the 2001-2002 school year, some 42,549 students received nutritious snacks. The program was able to feed an additional 21,918 students in the following year to reach a total of 64,467 beneficiaries. The children ranged from 6-14 years of age.

The current projects provide children with an early morning snack. The fruit juice and a cake enriched with protein and micronutrients help children start the day with the energy they need to concentrate and learn. In many cases, WFP found that the snack is the only food that the children eat each day. Together, the juice and cake supply 471 kilocalories and 26 grams of protein. Under a planned program expansion, WFP will provide an early morning drink as well as a fortified midday snack that will include pulses and iron-fortified wheat flour. This ration will supply 744.84 kcal and 22.65 g of protein per child.

The WFP baseline survey conducted in October of 2001 covered 73 primary schools participating in the operation. Beyond WFP, survey partners included government counterparts and partner agencies. The findings included:

WFP has seven field offices that monitor the program and use of the food resources, supervise food distribution, and help build the technical capacity of partners and local food committees. The local committees are responsible for logistics and for commodity distribution and monitoring, both from a quantity and quality standpoint.

WFP Colombia works with UNICEF-trained teachers and students who provide psychosocial therapy to IDP students. In addition, the IMO provides school improvements and educational materials while UNFPA educates children about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. Participation from local and international NGOs, churches, community groups, and local authorities has been important in a variety of ways.

The Government of Colombia also contributed to the program by providing US$ 118,000 to cover the internal transport, handling and commodity storage costs. The Government has shown a growing concern about the plight of displaced children and a commitment to address their particular needs while attempting to develop sustainable solutions.

In addition, local authorities, NGOs and parents have contributed US$ 290,000 to supplement the morning snack and generally improve school conditions.

The school feeding program has made a substantial impact on the lives of thousands of displaced children in Colombia. Targeting 74 schools with high levels of displaced students, the activity fed 64,467 children. It reached 33,545 girls and 30,922 boys.

Since the program started, teachers have reported higher levels of monthly attendance rates. The number of children per classroom has increased for the last three years.

For the love of my country: Maria del Socorro Mena Morena fled Quibdo, Choco to escape Colombia’s ongoing-armed conflict. Arriving in Cartagena she had no choice but to live in the slums. She settled in an area called "Sector Marta Curi," a desperately poor quarter of the city.

Living among displaced people like herself, Maria decided to create a teaching project that would fight illiteracy in her community. Knowing the effects of poverty firsthand, Maria understood that her project could only work if the children had something to eat while they were at school.

After talking to interested institutions, private companies, foundations, and nongovernmental organizations, Maria heard about the World Food Program’s office in Cartagena. Two years ago, Maria began her project with only 50 children. But the numbers quickly grew. Within the first year, student enrollment had jumped to 150 boys and girls. The program provides students with a nutritious snack before they begin their lessons. Maria says the small amount of food helps them stay focused during classes while motivating them to come to school regularly.

By the beginning of 2003, the newly operating "Love for My Country Primary School" had enrolled some 230 students. Like many other teachers, Maria hopes that WFP will expand its operations so additional children can get an education and benefit from the nourishment they need.

Last modified: Monday, April 14, 2008 06:13:23 PM