Hayel Saeed Anam (HSA) Group, Yemen’s largest private company, and Tetra Pak, the world’s leading foods and beverages processing and packaging company, have joined forces to support safe nutrition in schools across Yemen.
The initiative was announced at a joint food security workshop co-hosted in Amman by HSA and the International Food Policy Research Institute. According to Unicef, about 2.2 million Yemeni children (more than half) are suffering from acute malnutrition.
Nabil Hayel Saeed Anam, Managing Director, HSA Group – Yemen region said: “Yemen’s next generation faces an uncertain and challenging future. Feeding these children is a moral imperative and essential for Yemen’s future. Young people are disproportionately affected by Yemen’s ongoing food security crisis.
“The country cannot afford a lost generation where millions of children will grow up with their minds and bodies stunted because of lack of nutrients.
“It is our hope that, by working together with Tetra Pak, we will be able to support the health and wellbeing of Yemen’s young and ambitious population, nurturing talent and unlocking potential.”
Niels Hougaard, Managing Director, Tetra Pak Arabia, said: “The challenges faced by Yemen’s food systems require immediate and continuous efforts to make food available, particularly for the younger population. “The F&B sector, when operating responsibly, has the power to make a huge difference in this matter. “Our partnership with HSA is a statement to Tetra Pak’s commitment to protecting food, people and the planet. We are looking forward to making this project happen and to contributing to food security relief in Yemen.
“We will continue to innovate with our customers and realise our vision of making food safe and available, everywhere, especially in conflict zones.”
Leveraging the two parties’ product development and manufacturing capabilities, the partnership will support the development of innovative, value-chain-based affordable nutritious products for children in schools throughout Yemen. Commencing in September, the initiative will support the nutrition of children with 10 million packs, helping to improve the health of pupils while incentivising school attendance.
Under the scope of the initiative, HSA will produce UHT milk fortified with micronutrients and vitamins based on local nutritional deficiencies; while Tetra Pak will supply Tetra Brik Aseptic 125 packaging, ensuring the product remains fresh for up to 12 months and thus maximising the distribution time window.
By partnering with Tetra Pak, partners will minimise the impact of transport delays, which are common in Yemen due to damaged infrastructure.
The initiative will also be used to raise awareness on the importance of recycling. Children will be taught about the impact of waste on the environment and how waste can be managed sustainably