Cairo - Mubasher: The African Union Commission has praised the cooperation between the Egyptian Ministry of International Cooperation and the World Food Programme (WFP) to develop rural communities and empower small farmers in Upper Egypt, according to a press release on Wednesday.
This announcement came following the visit of the Egyptian Minister of International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, and the Country Director of the WFP, Mengstab Haile, to Qena and Luxor to follow up a number of developmental projects, implemented as part of the strategic 2018-2023 plan.
These developmental projects are also carried out under the South-South Initiative, which aims to upgrade rural areas in Upper Egypt and transfer this experience to the other African countries.
The $586 million plan for the 2018-2023 period is based on major pillars, including ensuring food security for the most needy groups, completing social protection programmes, as well as supporting women and farmers.
This mission proves "how international cooperation can change the lives of many rural communities and could be an example that could be replicated in other African countries," the Chief of Staff of the AU Commission, Ambassador Abdoulaye Diop, said in a tweet.
The cooperation between Egypt and the WFP focuses on building the capacity of one million small farmers through 2023 by developing modern agricultural and irrigation systems and empowering women through in-kind loans.
Moreover, Egypt and the WFP coordinate in transforming community schools to smart schools to address child labor and poverty.
The partnership between Egypt and the WFP, one of the UN programmes, extends for more than 50 years.
