The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) held a four-day training programme on emergency preparedness and capacity building on food safety and quality management systems. 

Representatives from the government, UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the private sector gathered at the programme to explore ways to combat food waste in Nepal and to address challenges in delivering food to affected populations when disaster strikes. 

 “Food is usually one of the most vital needs during the early onset of an emergency. Ensuring good quality food is available and can reach those in need can be lifesaving. The training allowed those involved in the food supply chain, from both public and private sector, to come together and learn about quality management systems and reduce food wastage in emergency settings. We cannot afford not to invest in emergency preparedness, Nepal needs to be ready for the next disaster that we know could strike the country any time” said WFP Representative and Country Director Pippa Bradford.

About 1.3 billion metric tons of food, equivalent to US$ 1.3 trillion, is wasted worldwide each year, according to a statement issued by WFP.  In low income countries like Nepal, about 40 percent of losses occur during post-harvest storage and handling. Such statistics suggest that cereal losses in Nepal could represent double the amount of cereal imported. “If Nepal addressed issues concerning food losses it could move from being a food deficit country to a food surplus country,” said Bradford.

The statement noted that Prime Minister K.P Sharma Oli has pledged to end hunger in Nepal by 2025 during the launch of the Zero Hunger Initiative on March 13th with Jose Grazianoda Silva, Director General of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).  The Zero Hunger Initiative is directly linked to goal 2 of the Sustainable Development Goals which aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture, and of which eliminating loss and waste of food is one of the central pillars, read the statement.

The training programme was inaugurated on May 9 by Pippa Bradford, WFP Representative and Country Director, during which presentations focused on strengths and challenges faced by participants in food production and distribution, lessons learned and how to reinforce collaboration, were made. 

Matina Joshi, Acting Director General at the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC); Mr. Jabed, Director of SAARC Food Bank; Kamal Raj Bhandari, Under Secretary from Ministry of Supplies of National Emergency Contingency Plan;Ms.ShabnamShivakoti, Programme Director of the Post-Harvest Management Directorate; Mohan Chand, NFCZonal Chief on National Distribution System and Frank Aynes, Head of WFP Supply Chain in Nepal were key note speakers at the programme.

Expected outcomes from the training include standard operating procedures and recommendations.“WFP works with the Government in managing supply chain activities in times of crisis.  The more we know and understand of where our combined strengths and weaknesses are we can perform better when it matters.  Training and capacity building are critical elements that lead to a state of readiness.  The more people and institutions know about emergency plans, priorities and who is doing what, means more lives can be saved,” said Bradford.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries, the statement noted.