Havana, August 25 (RHC)-- Some 900 thousand citizens in eastern Cuba will benefit from a World Food Program´s country strategy aimed at reinforcing social and local protection systems focusing on food security.

The Cuban strategy, backed by the WFP local office, includes food assistance, support of beans distribution in schools, and the stock of food at health and education centers. The project will also be a comprehensive action to prevent and control anemia in children between six and 11 months of age, and this adds to the distribution of rice-based fortified food for children between 12 and 23 months, pregnant and nursing mothers.

Other areas of impact by the program include social protection and agricultural systems, by providing equipment to food producers and training farmers to reduce climate change effects. Also on the agenda is the strengthening of risk reduction capacities.

Cuba was chosen to implement the WFP strategy for its outstanding role in meeting the first Millennium Development Goal and for being an example and actor in efforts to keep food security on the political agenda of the region, said WFP regional director Miguel Barreto, according to Prensa Latina news agency.

The strategy will be implemented in the western provinces of Pinar del Rio, Matanzas, and in eastern Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo on a budget of 18 million dollars.