WFP – School Snack

School Meals Programme: On-Site School Snacks (01 September 2024 – 31 July 2025) Introduction The World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MEHE), launched the School Snacks Programme in 2016 to address the challenges faced by Lebanese and Syrian children in accessing primary education. The programme aims to combat short-term hunger and improve children’s nutritional intake by providing daily nutritious snacks, offering nutrition education, and hosting health-focused summer camps. Targeting schools in vulnerable communities, particularly those operating double shifts, this initiative helps alleviate the financial burden on parents by covering their children’s lunch needs, allowing families to allocate resources to other essentials. Program Implementation and Achievements During the 2023-2024 school year, the School Snacks Programme, coordinated by SHEILD in collaboration with WFP, successfully reached 45 public and private schools in South and Nabatieh. The programme delivered 1,157,931 snacks over 104 feeding days, benefiting up to 14,634 students daily—45% Lebanese and 55% Syrian. The snack packages included seasonal fresh fruits and UHT milk or baked nuts, all sourced from ISO-certified local suppliers. Daily monitoring ensured the quality and proper storage of the snacks, with SHEILD staff conducting routine visits and upgrading school storage facilities to maintain high standards. In addition to snack distribution, SHEILD organized capacity-building workshops for school staff and students, focusing on digital tracking tools, food safety, quality control, nutrition education, and positive communication with children. The program also facilitated 67 child protection referrals, ensuring a supportive environment for all students. Challenges Faced The unstable security situation in the South posed significant challenges, leading to school closures, absenteeism, and the cancellation of afternoon shifts. To manage these difficulties, SHEILD implemented several measures, including adherence to WFP’s leftover management guidelines, prioritization of fresh item distribution, and effective planning of delivery routes. Thanks to these efforts, the programme achieved a near-zero waste rate, with only 346 snacks double-distributed and no waste recorded. The School Snacks Programme continues to play a crucial role in supporting the education and well-being of Lebanese and Syrian children in vulnerable communities, providing them with the nutrition they need to thrive in their studies and beyond.