Japan's ambassador to Afghanistan visits WFP nutrition site
KABUL – H.E. Takayoshi Kuromiya, Japanese Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Mutinta Chimuka, acting WFP Country Director in Afghanistan, visited a malnutrition clinic in the country’s capital Kabul, where hundreds of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their children receive life-saving nutrition services. The visit highlights Japan’s strong and steadfast commitment to WFP’s operations in Afghanistan, where nearly one third of the population is in need of emergency food assistance.
“It was heartbreaking to see a number of Afghan mothers and children suffering from malnutrition, but it was also encouraging to see the work done by WFP and its partners to provide critical assistance to them and improve their nutrition and health,” said Takayoshi Kuromiya, Japanese Ambassador to Afghanistan. “The Government of Japan remains committed to help Afghan families through the crisis.”
The visit followed a recent US$7 million contribution from the Government of Japan to WFP in Afghanistan. This funding enables WFP to deliver emergency food assistance to 30,000 families (200,000 people) for three months and to support 60,000 malnourished pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children. The contribution will also support daily school snacks for 30,000 school children, enhancing their ability to learn and focus during their classes.
“Women and girls continue to bear the brunt of the crisis in Afghanistan, which is currently witnessing the highest levels of child malnutrition in recent history,” said Harald Mannhardt, WFP Deputy Country Director in Afghanistan. “Only thanks to the generosity of partners like the Government of Japan, can WFP still support women and children across the country despite critical funding shortfalls.”
Last year, WFP supported 3 million children and 1.8 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers with malnutrition treatment or prevention services across the country.
The Government of Japan has been a steadfast supporter to WFP’s mission in Afghanistan. Since 2021, Japan has contributed US$93 million towards WFP’s emergency food assistance, nutrition and school meals programmes. After the devastating earthquake that struck the west of the country in October 2023, Japan also provided US$1 million for immediate emergency response for the affected population.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
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