Japan’s contribution of US$13 million enabled crucial food assistance to communities affected by Afghanistan drought
Kabul – A generous contribution of US$13 million (¥1.44 billion) from the Government of Japan enhanced WFP’s provision of life-saving assistance through food and cash transfers to more than 675,000 people across Afghanistan. This contribution that came at the end of 2018 followed previous support from Japan of US$ 2.7 million (¥298 million) in mid-2018.
As the last bags of food procured with Japanese support leave Kabul for distribution in the provinces, a handover ceremony took place today in the WFP Kabul warehouse. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Keiichi HARA, Japan Charge de Affairs for Afghanistan, Mohamad Qasim Haidari, Deputy Minister of Afghanistan State Ministry for National Disaster Management (ANDMA) and Zlatan Milisic, WFP Country Director for Afghanistan.
During the ceremony, Zlatan Milisic, WFP Country Director expressed his gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for their timely support. “The contribution came at the height of the emergency and Japan’s flexible funding allowed us to respond effectively to the needs of those suffering from the drought. The Government of Japan continues to be a strong and invaluable partner to WFP,” he added.
With the Japanese contribution, people in the 22 drought-affected provinces received locally-procured fortified wheat flour combined with other food items, including fortified vegetable oil, pulses and iodized salt. Part of this assistance also enhanced community assets, as food was provided to those involved in water management infrastructure projects in drought-affected areas to strengthen local resilience.
As part of Afghanistan’s drought response WFP distributed 56,000 metric tons of food and nearly US$ 4 million in cash-based transfers to families. The response reached full-scale in October 2018, providing emergency food assistance to 2.7 million people.
“Last year, severe food shortage has hit many areas of the country and Japan decided to work with WFP to provide Emergency Grant Aid to the damage caused by drought in Afghanistan. It is our great pleasure to see here the wheats procured arrived in this warehouse and the WFP is ready to provide them to the suffering people. We do hope this assistance will be the basis for the affected people to overcome difficulties and to make a living by themselves,” Said Mr. Keiichi HARA, Japan Charge de Affairs for Afghanistan.
WFP continues to respond to the needs of drought-affected women, men, girls and boys in 2019 and will transition from emergency assistance to life-changing sustainable solutions, including livelihood support.
The United Nations World Food Programme - saving lives in emergencies and changing lives for millions through sustainable development. WFP works in more than 80 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters and laying the foundations for a better future.
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