US$3.4M Japan-UNICEF Partnership to Improve School Nutrition in Solomon Islands

A US$3.4 million (SBD 28.7 million) funding agreement between the Government of Japan and UNICEF is set to transform school nutrition in the Solomon Islands.

This new partnership will provide healthier, locally sourced meals and improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services for nearly 3,000 children in pilot schools across Isabel and Western Provinces.

The initiative will address the pressing issue of child malnutrition and lay the foundation for a future national school meal program. Once expanded, the program will benefit over 30,000 children nationwide while supporting local farmers and promoting sustainable food systems.

𝐀 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock welcomed the program and described it as crucial to ensuring food security and child nutrition in the Solomon Islands.

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Hon. Franklyn Derek Wasi, highlighted the importance of introducing children to farming early to inspire their participation in agriculture as a long-term career.

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock is excited about this program as it aligns with the government’s priority to strengthen food security and child nutrition by promoting fresh, nutritious, locally grown foods,” Hon. Wasi said.

According to the most recent Solomon Demographic and Health Surveys, 32 percent of children under five are stunted, 8 percent are wasted (low weight for height), and 39 percent suffer from anemia.

Meanwhile, 23 percent of adolescents aged 13-17 are overweight or obese due to unhealthy dietary habits, including low fruit and vegetable intake and high consumption of sugary soft drinks.

Poor childhood nutrition increases the risk of developing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) later in life, imposing severe social and economic burdens.

𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The new partnership stems from the commitments made at the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) in Tokyo in July 2024, where Solomon Islands Prime Minister Hon. Jeremiah Manele requested Japan’s assistance in addressing NCDs and strengthening agricultural initiatives.

“Japan hopes that this project will contribute to improving the people's health, supporting farmers in the Solomon Islands, and strengthening the relationship between our two nations,” H.E. Keiichi Higuchi, Japan’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, said.

UNICEF Pacific Representative Jonathan Veitch stressed the importance of providing children with healthy, nutritious meals to enhance their well-being.

“Children are particularly vulnerable to illnesses and diseases caused by unsafe and unhealthy food. This generous support from the Government of Japan will significantly improve access to healthy and nutritious meals for school children.”

“We need to promote clean, homegrown eating habits from a young age to ensure future healthy eating,” Veitch said.

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲

A key component of the program is its focus on sustainability and community involvement. Surrounding communities that produce staple crops such as sweet potato, cassava, yam, taro, banana, and pumpkin will be encouraged to form cooperatives.

These cooperatives will supply fresh, local food to schools, reducing reliance on imported and processed foods.

This initiative is expected to boost local economies while ensuring children receive balanced and nutritious meals.

The program will also enhance school meal guidelines by replacing unhealthy processed foods with fresh, locally sourced alternatives.

Furthermore, improvements to water and sanitation facilities will be made alongside awareness campaigns to educate food handlers, teachers, and students on safe food handling and hygiene.

These efforts will help instill lifelong healthy eating habits and improve public health in the Solomon Islands.

𝐀 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

This initiative aims to improve school nutrition and promote sustainable agricultural practices, impacting the well-being of children, their families, and communities.

With UNICEF leading the implementation in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and other key stakeholders, the three-year program is poised to create a healthier and more resilient future for the Solomon Islands.

This significant step towards improved nutrition and food security reflects the Solomon Islands, Japan, and UNICEF's commitment to enhancing children's lives and fostering a healthier nation.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock