Creating a base for family meals in Pakistan

Flour, commonly known as atta in Urdu, is considered to be the foundation of almost every meal in Pakistan. It is used for breakfast parathas, and naan for dinners, thus making it an essential part of a family’s meals and diet. Due to the rising inflation, instability within the environment and high rates of poverty, many families in Pakistan struggle with making ends meet, especially regarding food. The price of flour has been raised, making the essential ingredient hard to come by. Reaching the proper nutrients needed to survive is a struggle that comes with many stresses. 

While hunger is a prevalent issue surrounding food insecurity, it also comes with other sacrifices. To provide food for everyone, other life essentials are put to the side. Education and healthcare are often given up for families to put enough food on the table. 

Providing staple foods is one of the best strategies to guarantee food security because these main ingredients, such as flour, are needed for daily meals and frequently account for the majority of household expenses. 

Humaniti launched a project that provides this staple ingredient to the Shahid Afridi Foundation, a school in Faisalabad. We send 40kg bags of flour to 200 students and 24 staff members every month for the entirety of the year. Delivering these bags, the financial burden of acquiring flour with the rising costs is alleviated as it ensures that these individuals will receive a steady supply to keep them taken care of. Students who before worried about their meal intake, nutrients and whether or not they would be able to sustain themselves, can now feel more empowered, strong, and healthier in everything they do. It paves the way for these students to concentrate on their studies without having to worry about hunger. The sense of stability can begin to heal families, students and staff members alike to feel more secure and safe. 

For the students at SAF school, this means they can concentrate on their studies without the constant worry of hunger or malnutrition. For the staff, it ensures they can continue their work with peace of mind, knowing their families are taken care of. 

Humaniti believes that every person deserves to have the means to live a full life. By committing to aid those who are food insecure, we are reinforcing the idea that no family should have to sacrifice their education, health, or other necessities to feed themselves. Instead, these fundamental rights should be easily accessed. By ensuring a steady supply of flour, Humaniti helps to break the cycle of uncertainty and allows families to focus on their goals, whether it’s pursuing education, improving their health, or building a better future.