The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that 3.9 million beneficiaries have been enrolled nationwide in the “Nashonuma Programme” over the past five years to address the problem of stunting.
Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Security Syed Imran Ahmad Shah told Parliament during Question Time that the program covers 2 million children and 1.8 million pregnant women. He said the initiative has had a significant impact in reducing stunting among children.
According to one study, there has been a 6.4% reduction in stunting among children under the age of two, and a whopping 20% reduction in stunting among children aged six months.
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The minister added that the nutrition support program is functioning across 157 districts through 542 facilitation centres.
Meanwhile, Climate Change Minister Shezra Mansab Ali Khan Kharal informed the House that a short-term climate action plan has been formulated. She said 14 key interventions to be implemented over a 242-day timeline are aimed at boosting resilience ahead of next year’s monsoon season.
Shezra Mansab Ali outlined that interventions include designing and piloting monsoon dams in priority flood-prone districts, upgrading flood forecasting and warning systems, establishing an emergency logistics system and integrating flood control, water management and climate adaptation into provincial plans.
The session of the National Assembly ended with Parliament being prorogued.
