Japan Contributes $4.6 Million To Wfp’s Work In South Sudan
“WFP plays an important role under the current situation in order to save lives and to assist by reaching out through humanitarian assistance to those people in need. I believe that our contribution will be utilised to reach the most vulnerable,” said Ambassador of Japan, Takeshi Akamatsu.
“Japan’s generous contribution comes at a critical time, when our resources are being stretched in order to save lives. We aim to reach 2.5 million food-insecure people, as well as strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities,” said WFP Country Director Mike Sackett.
Part of the Japanese contribution will be used to purchase 1,248 metric tons of essential cereals, pulses, oil and salt. WFP will distribute this food assistance to support building of community assets and training to help boost the food security of vulnerable people.
The balance of the new contribution will support the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), which is managed by WFP. Poor infrastructure, widespread insecurity and limited use of roads with the onset of the rainy season mean that large numbers of people cannot be reached by road. UNHAS is flying aid workers and urgently needed humanitarian cargo to areas around the country that have been extremely difficult to reach. Extra flights have been scheduled to key towns in order to transport more humanitarian personnel and assistance items.
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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. On average, WFP reaches more than 90 million people with food assistance in 80 countries each year.
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For more information please contact:
George Fominyen, WFP Juba, mobile: +211 922 465 247, Email: George.Fominyen@wfp.org
Hisako Ishizaki, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Tel: +959003152, Email: Hisako.Ishizaki@mofa.go.jp