The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a USD 5.5 million contribution from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) to prevent malnutrition among pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children in Ethiopia. The funding aims to improve access to nutritious foods, strengthen local food systems, and build community resilience, supporting the government’s efforts to enhance nutrition and food security for vulnerable families. The announcement was made during a ceremony in Addis Ababa on 16 December 2025, where Dr. Dereje Dugma, State Minister of Health, highlighted its alignment with national nutrition initiatives.
Zlatan Milišić, WFP’s Country Director in Ethiopia, noted that the contribution will deliver a triple impact: improving nutrition for at-risk families, reinforcing local food systems, and increasing household resilience by ensuring access to diverse diets and promoting best agricultural practices. The program will provide food vouchers to 5,000 families, enabling them to purchase fresh and nutritious foods such as eggs, fruits, and vegetables.
In addition to direct food support, WFP will strengthen local food systems and community resilience by distributing agricultural inputs, including seeds and machinery, connecting families to key agricultural services like animal health, and training health workers, agricultural agents, and market retailers in best practices. KOICA’s Country Director, Taeyoung Kim, emphasized that sustainable progress in nutrition and food systems requires long-term investment, strong local ownership, and coordinated multi-sector efforts.
The initiative will be implemented in six woredas across the Afar, Sidama, and Central Ethiopia regions under the Seqota Declaration, Ethiopia’s flagship program to end child undernutrition by 2030. Undernutrition, including stunting, wasting, and underweight, remains a significant public health challenge in the country, particularly affecting women of reproductive age and children under five due to poor dietary diversity and limited access to nutritious foods.
Dr. Dugma reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to the program, emphasizing its importance in advancing the national nutrition agenda and strengthening resilience in vulnerable communities. The Republic of Korea has been a key WFP partner, contributing USD 70 million since 2021 through MAFRA, MOFA, and KOICA to support humanitarian and development efforts in Ethiopia.
