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Hunter - as discussed, following is a brief overview of Guatemala's initiative to alleviate childhood malnutrition. This initiative is a top priority of Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina.

Guatemala's Commitment to Alleviate Child Malnutrition:

* The President of Guatemala launched an initiative in 2012 to alleviate early childhood malnutrition in the country (with a specific focus on the "first 1000 Days" - the period between pregnancy and age two).

o Guatemala has one of the worst child malnutrition rates in the world (in 2011, almost 50% of children under age 5 suffered from chronic malnutrition).

o In addition to robbing children of their full potential (malnourished children often did not fully develop physically or mentally), malnutrition has impacted productivity and the country's GDP.

* The President is strongly/personally committed to this initiative and, at the launch of this initiative, spent a weekend in the home of a family living in extreme poverty. He also directed his entire cabinet to join him and they spent the weekend in similar homes. This initiative is a top priority of the President.

o The private sector is also strongly supporting the initiative. It is having a transformative impact on the country.

* WFP USA, chaired by Hunter Biden, played a role in helping the country develop and launch the initiative. We are currently exploring steps to help the Guatemalan Government ensure long-term support for the effort.

o Juan Carlos Paiz (Presidential Commissioner for Competitiveness), Julio Ligorria (Guatemalan Ambassador to the US) and Andres Botran (private sector leader) have been working with us.

* It would be appropriate to acknowledge and congratulate the President, his leadership team and the people of Guatemala for their commitment to eliminating child malnutrition.

o Guatemala has been acknowledged globally for its political will and leadership in addressing child malnutrition.

I can be available if you/the traveling staff need any additional information (my cell phone is 202-716-3376). Thank you.

All the best,
Rick

Richard Leach
President & CEO

World Food Program USA
1725 Eye Street NW, Suite 510
Washington, DC 20006
T 202.627.3737
F 202.530.1698
rleach@wfpusa.org<mailto:jcorum@wfpusa.org>