Published: September 02, 2009
H.J. Heinz Company Foundation Partners with World Food Program to Fight Malnutrition in Bangladesh
PITTSBURGH - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The H.J. Heinz Company Foundation announced today that it will sponsor a
nutrition mapping project conducted by the World Food Program (WFP) in
Bangladesh, which will result in a comprehensive strategy for addressing
that country's nutritional deficiencies in an efficient and sustainable
manner.
The H.J. Heinz Company Foundation is supporting the project in the first
year with a grant of $350,000, as well as in-kind technical assistance.
Although significant progress has been made in recent years,
undernutrition remains one of the most chronic and pressing public
health issues in Bangladesh. Young children and women are particularly
at-risk, as nearly 40 percent of both groups are underweight, and almost
half of children under five suffer from stunted growth.
According to multiple data sources, most Bangladeshis are also deficient
in vitamins and minerals, especially iron, vitamin A and zinc, resulting
in cognitive impairment, anemia and blindness, among other conditions.
"In Bangladesh, Heinz is helping WFP identify the most vulnerable
populations and formulate strategies to improve their access to food and
their nutritional intake. The goal is to create a model for helping to
build a healthier, more productive and self-reliant society from the
ground up," said Tammy Aupperle, Director of the H.J. Heinz Company
Foundation.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian organization, fighting hunger
worldwide both through emergency response and long-term projects which
improve people's lives.
This year, WFP was aiming to feed 5 million hungry people in Bangladesh,
who have been seriously affected by high food prices and the downturn in
the global economy - including many who were affected by last year's
Cyclone Sidr. Due to major funding shortfalls, however, WFP can now only
reach 1.4 million - or around one quarter of the original caseload. In
Bangladesh, WFP distributes wheat flour, biscuits and blended food, all
fortified with essential micronutrients. It also distributes
micronutrient powders, which can be added to food, to targeted groups.
"The World Food Program is thrilled to be partnering with the H.J. Heinz
Company Foundation on a unique project to comprehensively map the
nutritional status and needs of Bangladesh, and then develop with other
key stakeholders a sustainable strategy for eradicating hunger and
micronutrient malnutrition in this nation," said John Aylieff, WFP
Bangladesh Representative.
The H.J. Heinz Company Foundation is dedicated to helping reduce global
malnutrition through its signature program, the Heinz Micronutrient
Campaign (HMC).
Through its sponsorships, the HMC has pioneered the development of
micronutrient powders that can be added to staple foods in the
developing world to combat anemia and other disorders related to
micronutrient malnutrition.
"As one of the world's leading producers of nutritious foods for infants
and children, Heinz is dedicated to reaching those people who cannot
access or afford our products with a low-cost solution to the serious
global health challenge of micronutrient deficiency," said William R.
Johnson, Heinz Chairman, President and CEO.
To date, the HMC has reached approximately 3 million children with
single-serve micronutrient sachets containing a culturally appropriate
mix of vitamins and minerals, including iron, vitamin A, folic acid,
zinc and other essential nutrients tailored to the needs of a specific
population.
A regimen of 60 sachets administered over two months can meet the
micronutrient needs of a child over the course of a year for a cost of
about $1.50.
The HMC is currently sponsoring with the Chinese Ministry of Health a
pilot program in China's northern and western provinces aimed at
reaching 500,000 children. Other projects are under development in
Tanzania, India, the Philippines and Cambodia.
About the Nutrition Mapping Project for Bangladesh
For every project WFP undertakes it must first establish what type and
quantity of food is needed to address the problem at hand, considering
the local population's cooking and eating habits.
WFP is working with corporate partners, universities, UN agencies and
NGOs to develop and assess the effectiveness of innovative products,
such as micronutrient powders, in preventing and treating malnutrition.
With this data in hand, a comprehensive strategy can then be devised to
determine what nutritional support tools to utilize, with a focus on
optimizing use of local ingredients and delivery mechanisms.
The project will produce a summary of what is known about the
nutritional status and needs of different target groups based on age,
sex, disease prevalence (i.e. malaria, tuberculosis, AIDS), urban vs.
rural areas, and regional differences related to climate and local food
production.
An assessment will also be conducted of existing programs, policies and
structures that target nutrition and food security. This assessment will
identify the main stakeholders for nutrition in government and the
private sector.
Once this is complete a proposed country nutrition strategy will be
created with a timeline for implementing short, medium and long-range
goals. The strategy document will recommend the most suitable
stakeholders from both the public, academic, NGO and private sectors for
carrying out the strategy's different elements.
About the World Food Programme
The World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency,
fighting hunger worldwide. In 2009, WFP aims to feed 108 million people
in 74 countries. Some 10,200 people work for the organization, most of
them in remote areas, directly serving the hungry poor. For more
information, please visit www.wfp.org.
About the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation
The H.J. Heinz Company Foundation was established in 1951 to make
contributions to further the public welfare. Funded each year by the
H.J. Heinz Company (NYSE:HNZ), the H.J. Heinz Company Foundation is
committed to promoting the health and nutritional needs of children and
families, with priority given to programs in communities where Heinz
operates. The Foundation proactively donates funds to develop and
strengthen organizations that are dedicated to nutrition and alleviating
undernutrition, diversity, and fostering healthy communities. The
Foundation supports socially responsible endeavors and encourages Heinz
employees to participate in voluntary activities in support of
charitable organizations.
Friends of the World Food Program:
Daniela Colaiacovo, VP of
Communications
202-530-1060
dcolaiacovo@friendsofwfp.org
or
Karen
D'Attore
Advisor, Corporate Relations for Friends of the World Food
Program
914-841-9355
kdattore@friendsofwfp.org
OR
Heinz:
Tammy
Aupperle
Director, H.J. Heinz Company Foundation
412-456-5772
tammy.aupperle@us.hjheinz.com
or
Michael
Mullen
Vice President, Corporate and Government Affairs
H.J.
Heinz Company
412-456-5751
michael.mullen@us.hjheinz.com
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