The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its instrument for development cooperation organization known as Italian Agency for Development Cooperation aims to finance, implement and monitor development projects and humanitarian aid programmes funded by the Italian Government in several developing countries. An office of The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) has been established by law in 2014 in Pakistan and has been effectively functioning since its inception. AICS Islamabad has been funding several initiatives by adopting the Theory of Change approach to achieve two specific results especially in Pakistan.
Protection of cultural and natural heritage, increased economic opportunities and job creation linked to culture and sustainable tourism, Strengthening capacity for recovery and adaptation to risks related to climate and natural disasters.
In this regard, a field visit by the Director of AICS Islamabad, Mr. Francesco Zatta and the staff of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) concluded in Balochistan to monitor main activities under the framework of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Programme, in particular in Lasbela and Khuzdar districts.
As part of the Pakistan-Italy Debt Swap Programme during April 2023, PIDSA allocated PKR 500 million for the prevention of stunting in infants during the first 1,000 days of their life, through BISP Nashonuma programme, by providing nutritious food to more than 20,000 children between 6 to 24 months, breast feeding mothers and pregnant women.
The overall BISP Nashonuma programme is implemented by WFP (World Food Programme) in 157 districts all over Pakistan through 531 facilitation centers, including 35 mobile units established in public health facilities, for 1. 15 million direct beneficiaries. During the visit of Lasbella and Khuzdar public health units, Mr. Francesco Zatta reviewed the eligibility criteria and screening activities for children and women for the allocation of specialized nutritious food and cash grants to poor families as part of the BISP Nashonuma programme.
The programme aims at achieving important results in order to prevent stunting in children under 2 years old, improving weight gain of women during pregnancy, reducing anemia and micro-nutrient deficiencies, enhancing awareness on maternal and early child health and nutrition, lowering disease burden through improving uptake of available health and nutrition services and preventing low birth weight.
