Nigeria, along with other nations, is set to receive a $50 million grant from the Government of Japan, which has been donated to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).
According to a statement released by the WFP, the $50 million grant from the Government of Japan will benefit 20 countries, primarily in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The funds are earmarked to aid nations facing severe economic crises, as well as those grappling with conflicts and extreme weather conditions.
The supplementary funding will extend to several countries, including Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Haiti, Jordan, Liberia, Mali, Myanmar, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, Ukraine, and Yemen.
The WFP expressed gratitude for Japan’s grant, especially amidst an unprecedented funding shortfall. The contribution will enable the WFP to provide assistance to vulnerable populations affected by conflict, extreme weather, and economic crises. Japan has remained one of the WFP’s foremost donors, consistently providing crucial support.
$13.5m of the grant will be used to help the most desperate in Afghanistan through emergency food distribution and nutrition assistance.
In the same vein, more than $11m will be allocated to provide food, nutrition and livelihood assistance to the conflict-affected people in Palestine.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has displaced many Palestinians and is threatening over 2.2 million people with acute hunger.
Myanmar will benefit from $5.8m that will go to emergency food and nutrition assistance programmes for the most vulnerable people including displaced school children in conflict-affected states and regions following extreme weather conditions and political crises.
In Ukraine, Japan is supporting WFP’s food assistance to respond to the immediate needs of families affected by the war with $4.7m. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to food shortages in the country.
The WFP said $1.9m will be used to provide life-saving emergency food assistance to families in need. Nearly 18 million people are suffering from acute hunger and at least 7.6 million people have been displaced.
A grant of $2m will be used to support tackling deteriorating food insecurity among Yemen’s most vulnerable people with life-saving assistance.
Reacting to the grants Director of the WFP Japan Relations Office, Yasuhiro Tsumura said: “We are grateful for this invaluable contribution from the people of Japan. This contribution enables us to reach families who suffer from hunger and lack of access to food as a result of conflict and disasters, supporting the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable households.
“WFP is facing a critical funding shortage now. Cutting rations, however, will only increase the number of people in need. We sincerely ask for the continued support of the people of Japan.”