Astra and WFP

End Hunger

In its endeavour to promote health and nutrition among growing children, Astra, Sri Lanka’s ‘iconic brand for kids’ growth’ has partnered with The World Food Program (WFP) this year, to sponsor their ‘End Hunger; Walk the World’ program which is taking place on 6th June in Negombo.

Astra, a Unilever ‘Family goodness brand’ that is committed to foster community involvement in growing healthy and strong kids across Sri Lanka, has been working with WFP since ’08 to support ‘The school feeding ’ program. Unilever is in a global partnership with WFP to fight hunger and malnutrition.This is committed to give a better start in life to more than 350 million children across the globe through their ‘Together for Child Vitality’ project.

Raising funds

‘Walk the World’ (WtW) is a global advocacy and fund raising program to end child hunger and malnutrition and is spear-headed by WFP, the largest humanitarian organization and the United Nations frontline agency in the fight against global hunger. WFP responds directly to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the UN and is primarily working towards reducing hunger by half by 2015. This year the WtW program will take place in 75 countries across 24 time zones. The program aims to put a spotlight on the problem of child hunger and malnutrition, by inspiring action and encouraging people to raise funds for the WFP’s school meals program.

This year the WtW program in Negombo will see the participation of politicians, employees of sponsoring organizations, WFP representatives and many other well-wishers. The focal point of the event will be the walk from Negombo railway station to Paradise Beach Hotel where the event will culminate with an award presentation to the winners of art competition held among beneficiaries of school feeding program.

Statistics in Sri Lanka

Although Sri Lanka is not adversely affected by hunger, recent statistics of the Ministry of Health, in Sri Lanka shows that, approximately 21% of school aged children are under weight, 14% suffer from iron deficiency and 15% from Vitamin A deficiency.  In addition, under-5 malnutrition rates stand at 22% while 19% are stunted, and 12% wasted.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Amal Cabral, Chairman, Unilever said, “Astra, one of Unilever’s foremost brands has partnered with WFP to promote vitality among growing children in Sri Lanka, to ensure good health and well-being of our future generations.” He also stated that Astra will be vigorously embarking on many CSR initiatives on these same lines during this year to promote holistic growth of the Sri Lankan child.

Astra, one of Unilever’s well established brands in Sri Lanka has been involved in many initiatives to arrest the issue of malnutrition among growing children across the island. With a commitment to, ‘Feed your child and feed one more’ Astra has been conducting many CSR initiatives to promote child nutrition. Through its ‘Dinana Wadenna’ program, Astra carried out a comprehensive awareness campaign to educate mothers of young children on the importance of good food habits and balanced diet for a child’s healthy growth. In addition Astra also conducts programs in pre-schools to educate teachers and mothers on maintaining the correct age-weigh-height ratios of children less than 5 years, during which period an 80% of brain development takes place in a child.

Going the extra mile

Simultaneous to the ‘Walk the World’ program, Astra will be raising funds together with WFP for the  School Feeding initiative. The School Feeding Program of WFP provided nearly 62 million mid-morning meals to about 350,000 children across 13 districts. In addition Astra will be extending its ‘Dinanna, Wadenna’ campaign which is aimed at promoting nutrition, health and well-being among growing children, across the island.
The margarine business is one of the key businesses in Unilever Sri Lanka. Margarine, made of good vegetable oils, plays an important dietary role for growth and development of child by contributing essential fatty acids and vitamins A & D.