Japan extends $110 m food aid to poor people in 37 countries

10 / 03 / 2021

By Marwa Nassar - -

Japan provides $110 million food assistance and livelihood support to vulnerable people in 37 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Some $20.6 million will be used to provide life-saving support to families in conflict-stricken Yemen, where nearly 50,000 people are living in famine-like conditions, with 5 million just a step away from those same desperate conditions.

In Afghanistan, a $12.9 million allocation will support the World Food Program’s (WFP) response for families affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A further grant of $10.6 million will enable WFP to continue its support to people facing food insecurity in Syria, as well as vulnerable people in host communities where refugees reside in Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.

In Africa, portions of the Japanese funds will support WFP’s emergency food assistance to Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mali, and livelihood and COVID-19 response programs in Somalia and Ethiopia.

“We are grateful for the generous support from the Government and people of Japan, which is critical to sustain our work saving and changing the lives of so many vulnerable people,” said Naoe Yakiya, Director of WFP’s Japan Office. “Today, conflicts, climate shocks and COVID-19 are driving a ‘hunger pandemic’ and millions of people are teetering on the edge of famine with 34 million people dependent on humanitarian support. This funding is critical for us to provide life-saving support and to strengthen the resilience of people we serve.”

Over the years, Japan has consistently been one of WFP’s top donors and has contributed $ 866 million since 2016.

The countries which will benefit from Japan’s $110 million contribution are: Afghanistan, Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Palestine, Republic of Congo, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda Yemen and Zimbabwe.