YOKOHAMA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) this month welcomed a US$122.62 million humanitarian aid package from the Government of Japan. The donation will enable WFP to provide vital food and nutrition assistance to targeted vulnerable people, many of whom are affected by conflict, in 27 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Part of the funds will also support special logistics operations, which WFP runs in four of those countries.

“WFP deeply appreciates this substantial injection of support from Japan which comes at a critical time when the organization, which is 100 percent voluntarily-funded, is simultaneously responding to an unprecedented level of need for food assistance globally. The Government and people of Japan have repeatedly demonstrated proactive leadership in responding to humanitarian emergencies,” said Stephen Anderson, Director of WFP Japan Office. “This is directly linked to Japan’s steadfast commitment to enhancing human security, building peace and empowering women around the globe.”

A large part of the donation will support conflict-affected people in the Middle East. As fighting intensifies in Iraq and Syria, Japan’s aid will enable WFP to distribute food and vouchers to a total of 8 million people who are displaced inside these two countries or seeking refuge in surrounding countries. In Yemen, funds will go towards providing emergency food assistance to some 6 million people including those displaced by insecurity and host communities, and meals for children attending school.

In Africa, Japan’s contribution will assist millions hit by conflict and natural disasters in 18 countries including in Central African Republic and South Sudan, where conflict has resulted in large-scale population displacement and hunger crises. In Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, Japan’s donation will support WFP in meeting the basic food and nutrition needs of Ebola-affected families and communities.

The channelling of funds to Afghanistan and Pakistan, long affected by conflict and displacement, reflects Japan’s aid policy of promoting peace and sustainable development in the region. Funds will be used to provide food to conflict and disaster-affected people, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups, including malnourished children.

WFP’s logistics operation will also benefit from Japan’s support in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and Afghanistan, where the agency is also responsible for the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service providing critical air transport services for the humanitarian community.

The breakdown of the contribution is as follows:

Middle East: Iraq (US$13 million), Yemen (US$10 million), Palestine (US$5 million), Jordan (US$4.44 million), Lebanon (US$2.73 million), Turkey (US$2.22 million), Syria (US$1.5 million)

Africa: Central African Republic (US$7.5 million), Mali (US$7 million), Sierra Leone (US$6 million), Cameroon (US$5.8 million), Niger (US$5.15 million), Democratic Republic of Congo (US$5 million), Ethiopia (US$5 million), Burkina Faso (US$5 million), Mauritania (US$4.5 million), South Sudan (US$4.2 million), Somalia (US$4.2 million), Chad (US$3.5 million), Kenya (US$2.7 million), Guinea (US$2.5 million), Malawi (US$2.5 million), Zimbabwe (US$1.5 million), Liberia (US$1 million), Djibouti (US$480,000)

Asia: Afghanistan (US$5.2 million), Pakistan (US$5 million)

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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 75 countries.

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For more information please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org):
Yuko Yasuda, WFP/Yokohama, Tel. +81 (0)3 5766 5364, Mob. +81 (0)90 9844 9990