Japan contributes $11.7 million to assist the vulnerable in Central Sahel
JOHANNESBURG, April 10 (ANA) – The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed $11.7 million (about R200 million) in funding from the government of Japan to provide vital food and nutrition assistance to the vulnerable populations in the Central Sahel region affected by armed conflict and the severe impact of climate change.
The organisation said that of the total contribution, $5.7 million will enable them to provide life-saving food assistance to 177,000 people in Burkina Faso during the upcoming lean season from June, when most community food stocks are depleted before the next harvest in late September.
“Japan is also providing $3 million to improve food security and nutrition and prevent acute malnutrition in Niger. With the contribution, WFP will provide food assistance to refugees, internally displaced people and vulnerable host populations. It also supports WFP to provide nutrition support for children and pregnant women to treat and prevent their malnutrition,” said WFP in a statement.
Another $3 million will also allow WFP to provide immediate food assistance in Mali, where people suffer from the combined effects of frequent drought and increased insecurity.
“We are grateful for the generous support of the government and people of Japan which enables us to assist the most vulnerable families in the Sahel region. This contribution is especially timely as we are seeing a sharp rise in hunger in the region due to increased insecurity and climate shocks,” said Naoe Yakiya, director of WFP Japan Office.
WFP said in February 2020 that it reached nearly 1.5 million vulnerable people in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and would continue to provide lifesaving food and nutrition assistance in the Central Sahel region.
-African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher
