Japan contributes USD 3.1 million to deliver lifesaving food and nutrition assistance to people in Palestine

The signing ceremony took place in Ramallah between Mr. ARAIKE Katsuhiko, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and the Representative of Japan to Palestine, and Ms. Kate Newton, Deputy Country Director of WFP Palestine, presided over by Dr. Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development of the Palestinian Authority.

When vulnerable families in Gaza and the West Bank face acute food insecurity due to conflict, the prevailing economic situation and limited access to diverse and nutritious food commodities, this timely contribution from Japan provides a vital lifeline to the most vulnerable and contributes to improving their food security. The grant will enable the purchase of wheat flour and Japanese canned fish to serve the essential food and nutrition needs of over 170,000 people.

More than ten months into the ceasefire in Gaza, people’s access to food as well as affordability and nutritional values of commodities entering Gaza remain critically at risk. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, an increasingly volatile situation is forcing families into crisis - with widespread violence and an economic downturn taking hold and leaving a third of families unable to afford a nutritious diet. 

This latest grant brings Japan's cumulative contribution to WFP's response in Palestine since 2023 to approximately USD 69 million, underscoring its strong commitment to humanitarian action and deep understanding of the challenges facing vulnerable communities. 

“With the shrinking space for residences and production activities, including fishing in the sea, a majority of Palestinians in Gaza have not recovered the production and continue to depend on external support of staple food and much needed source of protein to cope with food insecurity" stated Mr. Araike, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs. "Also, we must not forget that many residents in the West Bank face equally severe conditions to sustain household food supply due to military operations, displacement, and movement restrictions that disrupt their socioeconomic activities by the day and make commodity prices higher. Japan hopes that this modest contribution from Japan, to be delivered by the competent WFP team, will alleviate the daily challenges of the Palestinian people in accessing nutritious food.”

“We are deeply grateful to the people and Government of Japan for their steadfast support to Palestinians, in their hour of need," said Ms. Newton, WFP’s Deputy Country Director in Palestine. "Japan’s generous contribution serves as a powerful expression of solidarity with people affected by conflict, violence and economic hardship in Gaza and the West Bank. To sustain these efforts and protect the progress made against hunger, it is critical that humanitarian assistance can continue to reach people safely, consistently and on time.”