Tunisia
- 21%
- of Tunisians live below the poverty line
- 30%
- of children under 5 and pregnant and nursing women suffer from anaemia
- 11.8 million
- population
Despite the democratic achievements of the Jasmine Revolution, Tunisia still faces significant political and socioeconomic challenges. Due to persisting structural issues and an economy that is primarily dependent on external funding sources, the country has had several governments since 2011 and is experiencing visible social tensions and a delayed economic recovery.
While hunger levels are defined as low by the Global Hunger Index, an economic recession, high unemployment rates, climate change, regional disparities and dependence on cereal imports challenge the ability of the most vulnerable people to secure an appropriate, nutritious diet.
Even with considerable progress in addressing malnutrition over the past decades, Tunisia faces overlapping nutrition problems related to mineral deficiencies, and an increasing level of obesity. Anaemia, or iron deficiency, is estimated at 30 percent for children under 5 and 32 percent for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Obesityaffects 21 percent of children between the ages of 2 and 10, while 13.7 percent are overweight. Obesity and overweight are constantly increasing, reaching 50 percent of children by the age of 10.
What the World Food Programme is doing in Tunisia
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School meals
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WFP’s support to the Government includes developing and upgrading guidelines, including on nutrition and hygiene, and manuals for school gardens and school canteens. We support the restoration, upgrade and equipment of school canteens, and training for cooks and school staff.
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Community resilience
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WFP strengthens the resilience of smallholder farmers in the face of climate change. We promote links between schools and local smallholder farmers’ groups – especially rural women’s community-based organizations – to promote the use of locally produced foods, contribute to job creation and enhance local economies.
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Women's empowerment
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Women working in agriculture are at the centre of WFP’s operation in Tunisia. WFP is advocating for gender equality and for sustainable food systems, notably in putting food security and nutrition at the centre of the national strategy for the socioeconomic empowerment of rural women. WFP also encourages the prioritization of women’s organizations in the farming of school gardens, giving them access to the school meals supply chain.
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Social protection
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WFP contributes to strengthening the capacity of government institutions to improve the quality, flexibility, inclusivity and shock responsiveness of national social safety nets. WFP works with the Government to improve regulatory frameworks and tools, as well as give technical support in improving social protection services.
Tunisia news releases
Go to pagePartners and donors
Achieving Zero Hunger is the work of many. Our work in Tunisia is made possible by the support and collaboration of our partners and donors, including:
Government of Japan
Ministry of Agriculture - Regional Commissariat for Agricultural Development of Siliana (CRDA)
Principality of Monaco
UNAIDS - Unified Budget, Results and Accountability Framework (UBRAF)
UN COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund
Find out more about the state of food security in Tunisia
Visit the food security analysis pageContacts
Office
35 rue de l'ile d'Islande, Les Berges du Lac II
Tunis
Tunisia
Phone
+ 216 71 967 300
Fax
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