FAO recognizes Dominican Republic for leaving the Hunger Map and visits model school in Monte Plata

Santo Domingo — The Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Qu Dongyu, recognized the Dominican Republic's progress in the fight against hunger during the World Food Day ceremony led by President Luis Abinader at the National Palace.

According to the FAO, the country reduced the prevalence of undernourishment to below 2.5% during the 2023-2025 period, a result that allowed its official exit from the organization's Hunger Map, in line with its international standards. Dongyu called the achievement extraordinary and highlighted President Abinader's leadership and the joint work of the public and private sectors.

Presidency Minister José Ignacio Paliza said hunger is not only the absence of food, but also the absence of opportunities, and argued that the milestone reached should be the starting point of a longer journey, not the final goal. FAO Chief Economist Máximo Torero attributed the progress to a combination of economic growth, poverty reduction, job creation and stronger social protection programs, with school feeding playing a prominent role.

During the event, Abinader decorated Dongyu with the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella, through Decree 753-26, and the FAO representative in the country, Rodrigo Castañeda, with the Heraldic Order of Christopher Columbus in the rank of Grand Officer, through Decree 731-26.

As part of his visit, Dongyu toured the Profesora Camila Beato Salas School in Monte Plata, a model school in the Healthy and Sustainable Schools project developed by the FAO together with the National Institute for Student Welfare (INABIE). There he saw the school gardens, rainwater harvesting systems, improved kitchens and the OptiWaste app, which measures food waste to improve recipes. According to INABIE, the School Feeding Program benefits more than 2.1 million people in over 7,100 schools, with around 5.8 million servings every school day.

Photo: Presidency of the Dominican Republic

Source: Prensa Mercosur