UNICEF-WFP Forge Stronger Partnership to Combat Malnutrition, Enhance Emergency Preparedness, and Resilience in The Gambia

Banjul, The Gambia 13 August 2025 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in The Gambia today announced a renewed and strengthened commitment to addressing malnutrition, food insecurity and emergency preparedness in The Gambia. This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 13 August 2025, is a testament of the two agencies long-standing engagement to support the development agenda of The Gambia.

The MOU signals a powerful united front in the fight against all forms of malnutrition, particularly those affecting children under five, pregnant and breastfeeding women and girls. It also reaffirms the agencies joint efforts in supporting the country’s emergency preparedness and response, ensuring national and subnational systems strengthening and timely and effective response to the urgent needs of the most vulnerable groups affected by emergencies.

“This renewed partnership between UNICEF and WFP is a testament to our shared dedication to the children and people of The Gambia”, says Ms. Nafisa Binte Shafique, UNICEF Country Representative in The Gambia. “By strategically combining our strength and expertise, we can maximise our impact on critical issues like child malnutrition, ensuring that every child has the best possible start in life and the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potentials. This collaboration is crucial for building a healthier, more resilient future for the country”, she added.

This renewed commitment comes at a critical time, as the country continues its journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially those focused on eradicating hunger and ensuring good health and well-being. In addition, it underscores the shared dedication of UNICEF and WFP to the principles enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Declaration and Plan of Action of the International Conference on Nutrition and the Government of The Gambia’s Recovery-focused National Development Plan 2023-2027, aiming for a future free from child hunger and undernutrition.

“Collaboration between WFP and UNICEF in addressing malnutrition in The Gambia is crucial”, said Ms. Miranda Sende, WFP Representative and Country Director in The Gambia. “This agreement underscores our dedication to enhancing national capacities, promoting data-driven nutrition responses, and ensuring that the most vulnerable, especially children, receive the care and protection they deserve. By fostering close communication and cooperation among all partners, we can make a lasting impact on reducing wasting, stunting, and micronutrient deficiencies in the country”, she added.

Under this MoU, UNICEF and WFP will collaborate to address under nutrition in children under 5 years old, provide support to nutrition and food security assessments, data sharing on nutrition, surveillance and nutrition education and emergency preparedness and response.

Furthermore, the agreement will strengthen systems and services for vulnerable groups, improve WASH facilities in schools, while contributing to raising climate change awareness, and promoting climate actions, social protection, behaviour change, and gender equality. It will also enhance joint advocacy and programming efforts and support the development of joint proposals to improve the wellbeing and resilience of vulnerable children and communities.