Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) has announced a three-year extension of the Benazir Nashonuma Programme in partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO). The renewed initiative will provide nutrition and health support to an additional 3.3 million pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under the age of two across the country.
Since its launch in 2020, the Benazir Nashonuma Programme has reached 4.7 million people through a nationwide network of 578 facilitation centres and 224 nutrition stabilization centres. With the latest extension, the programme is expected to benefit a total of 8 million people, strengthening Pakistan’s efforts to reduce malnutrition among vulnerable families.
The programme has delivered significant results, with participating children found to be 22% less likely to experience stunting by six months of age. It has also improved maternal nutrition, increased access to antenatal healthcare, supported healthier pregnancy weight gain, and contributed to better birth outcomes.
Pakistan continues to face serious nutrition challenges, with four in ten children under five affected by stunting and 17.7% suffering from wasting, contributing to substantial health and economic impacts. The Benazir Nashonuma Programme addresses these issues by integrating nutrition services into the country’s national social protection system.
The renewed partnership will continue expanding access to nutrition and healthcare services while strengthening community awareness and maternal and child health outcomes. By combining social protection with evidence-based healthcare and nutrition interventions, Pakistan and its development partners aim to build a healthier and more resilient future for millions of women and children.
