Japan contributes US$11.7 million to assist the most vulnerable populations in central Sahel
YOKOHAMA – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a total of US$11.7 million in funding from the Government of Japan to provide vital food and nutrition assistance to the vulnerable populations in the Central Sahel affected by escalating armed conflict and severe impacts of climate change.
Of the total contribution, US$5.7 million will enable WFP to provide life-saving food assistance to 177,000 people in Burkina Faso during the upcoming lean season from June when most community food stocks are depleted before the next harvest in late September.
Japan is also providing US$ 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.
Another US$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,” said Naoe Yakiya, Director of WFP Japan Office. “This contribution is especially timely as we are seeing a sharp rise in hunger in the region due to increased insecurity and climate shocks.”
Nearly 5.5 million people are facing severe food insecurity during the coming lean season i, according to the latest food security assessments (Cadre Harmonisé) released earlier this month. Burkina Faso faces the steepest rise in hunger, with 2.1 million people requiring food assistance – up from from more than 680,000 at the same period last year. Meanwhile 2 million people in Niger and 1.3 million people in Mali face severe hunger.
WFP continues to provide lifesaving food and nutrition assistance in the Central Sahel – reaching nearly 1.5 million vulnerable people in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger in February.
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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies, building prosperity and supporting a sustainable future for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.
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