“Inclusive economic growth is at the core of Egypt’s roadmap to achieving sustainable development. Together with the Government of the United States, we continue building community resilience, through meaningful and relevant programs, to protect health, food security and the most vulnerable” H.E. Dr. Rania Al Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation. This award to WFP will complement the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s national social protection program, Takaful and Karama by providing six months of food assistance to 40,000 vulnerable pregnant and nursing women and children under two years of age in Egypt. It will also connect 500 mothers who are under the social safety net system with micro-loans and business training so they can support themselves and their families. According to Ambassador Cohen, “This new $5 million award builds upon our longstanding partnership with UN agencies in Egypt to help the most vulnerable Egyptians and refugees. Over the past eight years, the U.S. has given $87 million to the World Food Programme to provide emergency food assistance in Egypt.” H.E. Minister of Social Solidarity Dr. Nevine El- Kabbag said, “Poverty is related to poor education, health and lack of awareness about proper health and care practices. This is why the Ministry places emphasis on maternal and child health because it reflects the overall health status of the population and is a core prerequisite for sustainable development, hence the focus on the ‘First 1,000 Days of life’ programme. We are proud to partner with the World Food Programme to implement this programme which is currently funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, reaching the most vulnerable children under two years, pregnant and lactating mothers, in the poorest governorates, ensuring they have access to their essential food needs. In 2020, The Ministry of International Cooperation secured financing in 2020 for the healthcare sector worth a total of $477 million. The current cooperation portfolio between Egypt and the USAID amounts to $814.6 million, across several sustainable development goals including SDG1: No Poverty, SDG2: Zero Hunger, SDG3: Good Health and Well Being, SDG5: Gender Equality, SDG6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG12: Responsible Consumption and Production. The partnership between Egypt and the World Food Programme extends for more than 50 years, and the current strategy for the period of 2018 - 2023 allocates about $586 million towards social protection programs, providing food security for the most vulnerable, focusing on women and mothers, and building farmers' resilience.