YOKOHAMA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a US$120.7 million cash contribution from the Government of Japan to provide vital food and nutrition assistance to the most vulnerable people affected by conflicts and natural disasters in 32 countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Eastern Europe.

“WFP highly appreciates this significant contribution from Japan, which could not have been more timely,” said Stephen Anderson, Director of WFP’s Japan Office. “WFP is responding to critical food needs in four of the world’s largest and most complex, conflict-induced humanitarian emergencies in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and South Sudan. WFP is also providing emergency humanitarian support to countries severely affected by natural disasters including those hit by one of the strongest El Nino events on record. As chair of the G7 summit to be held in Ise-shima in May, this generous donation reaffirms Japan’s steadfast commitment to humanitarian assistance and proactive leadership in peace building and human security.”

In the lead up to the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) being held in Kenya in August, with Japan as one of the co-organisers, it is fitting that the largest portion - US$56 million - will assist millions of people on the continent who are affected by natural disasters and conflict in 20 countries. In Ethiopia, where El Niño is responsible for what could be the worst drought-related emergency in 50 years, Japan’s funds will provide emergency food rations to 472,000 people who are already suffering its effects. In Malawi, the funds will be spent on four projects including relief assistance for people hit by floods and dry spells, as well as recovery and school feeding programmes, to ensure seamless support from relief to development. The latter is a priority issue to be discussed at the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul. Recovery activities will be implemented in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which will provide technical assistance in agriculture.

US$49 million will be allocated to support those affected by conflict in the Middle East. As the protracted conflict in Syria approaches its sixth anniversary, the Japanese contribution will enable WFP to continue provision of desperately-needed life-saving food and vouchers to nearly 6 million Syrians who are displaced inside Syria and in neighbouring countries. In Yemen, the funds will help WFP provide vital assistance to 2 million internally-displaced persons, including nutrition support to mothers and children.

In Asia, the channelling of funds to support food assistance in Afghanistan and Pakistan reflect Japan’s desire to promote peace and human security in the sub-region.

WFP’s logistics operations will also benefit from Japan’s donation in five countries, including South Sudan and Guinea, where the agency runs the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service, providing critical air transport and cargo services for the entire humanitarian community.

The breakdown of the contribution is as follows:

Middle East: Yemen (US$10 million), Jordan (US$8 million), Turkey (US$7.5 million), Lebanon (US$6.6 million), Syria (US$6.2 million), Iraq (US$6 million), Sudan (US$2.7 million), Palestine (US$1.3 million), Egypt (US$1 million)

Africa: Ethiopia (US$5.35 million), Central African Republic (US$5 million), Malawi (US$5 million), Niger (US$3.5 million), Uganda (US$3.5 million), Democratic Republic of the Congo (US$4.5 million), Somalia (US$3.1 million), Cameroon (US$3 million), Burundi (US$2.65 million), South Sudan (US$3.2 million), Sierra Leone (US$2.2 million), Guinea (US$3 million), Mauritania (US$2 million), Kenya (US$2 million), Tanzania (US$1.8 million), Chad (US$1.75 million), Mali (US$1.5 million), Republic of Congo (US$1.4 million), Liberia (US$1 million), Burkina Faso (US$1 million)

Asia: Afghanistan (US$8 million), Pakistan (US$6 million)

Eastern Europe: Ukraine (US$1 million)

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WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience. Each year, WFP assists some 80 million people in around 80 countries.

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Yuko Yasuda, WFP/Yokohama, Tel. +81 (0)3 5766 5364, Mob. +81 (0)90 9844 9990