Dutch nutrition company Royal DSM and United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have entered into an agreement to prolong their partnership for three years in tackling hunger and malnutrition in developing nations.
The partnership intends to enhance the nutritional value of food that the WFP distributes across vulnerable beneficiaries.
The focus of the partnership has also been on new large-scale fortification approaches that can reach large groups with improved nutrition. Royal DSM and WFP are focused on strengthening the reach of staples such as rice which is consumed by billions across the globe.
DSM provides scientific expertise, products and technical and financial assistance, thereby helping WFP to bolster food supplies and quality through the addition of tailor-made, ready-to-use solutions that offer essential micronutrients.
Apart from rice fortification, DSM has also helped WFP to improve the formulation of fortified blended foods. Besides, DSM provides support to WFP in the development of nutrition-oriented course, which is to be held at New York University.
DSM managing board CEO and chairman Feike Sijbesma said: "Ending hunger and malnutrition is the next step in our civilization. Food fortification plays an important role. As the world's largest producer of vitamins and other micronutrients we clearly take our responsibility to help eliminate hunger and malnutrition by providing know how and product solutions.
"Together, WFP and DSM help to advance insights on successful nutrition interventions, as part of the Scaling Up Nutrition network. Since our partnership with WFP started, in 2007, we have successfully scaled up our impact to reach to over 25 million beneficiaries a year. Now it is time to deepen our partnership by providing even better quality nutritional products while helping to prepare local economies to offer nutritionally rich products that are available, affordable and aspirational because in the end the best way to get out of poverty is through economic development."
World Food Programme executive director Ertharin Cousin said: "Investing in nutrition solutions for the world's most vulnerable people is an essential element of the fight against global hunger. With DSM's continued support, WFP is committed to providing the right food at the right time, especially for children in the first 1,000 days of life. When building the potential of future generations, there is no substitute for good nutrition."
For the partnership's progress, DSM and WFP will continue to involve with governments, stakeholders and conduct fundraising activities.
Started in 2007, DSM's public-private partnership with WFP has a strong focus on improving the diets of young children as well as pregnant and nursing women, with essential vitamins, nutrients and fortified rice.
In 2014, the partnership could cater to a total 25.1 million beneficiaries, including 6.1 million children through school feeding programs. Through this milestone, the partnership could attain its goal of reaching more than 25 million people per year by 2015, ahead of its plan.
