Japan helps WFP support the resilience of the food supply chain in Tunisia

In Tunisia, WFP is working with the government to strengthen its capacity to implement the National School Feeding Program whose multi-pronged approach promotes a healthy and balanced nutrition through local procurement and supports the resilience of rural communities benefiting from the food supply chain.

Thanks to Japan’s contribution, WFP will distribute food-restricted vouchers as top-ups to the Government’s social allowances safety net in coordination with the Ministry of Social Affairs. This will allow 1,500 households (more than 7,500 individuals) to improve their nutrition through healthy and nutritious food. The project furthermore aims at strengthening emergency and food supply chains in Tunisia and is expected to directly benefit about six ministries, including at least 60 ministerial staff mainly through trainings and markets and needs assessments survey to support evidence-based policies.

“This contribution from Japan comes at the right time to support the efforts of the Tunisian government assisting the Tunisian populations affected by COVID-19,” said Fatimata Sow-Sidibé, Head of Office WFP Tunisia and Morocco. “Food vouchers help develop the local economy, giving beneficiaries the freedom to choose food products of their choice, and address food insecurity and malnutrition.”

“WFP's thanks go to all the Japanese people for all their efforts of solidarity and I particularly thank His Excellency Ambassador Shinsuke Shimizu for his involvement,” added Sow-Sidibé

The health measures taken by the government to face the pandemic had a great socio-economic impact on the most vulnerable segments of the population. School closures increased the vulnerability of 260,000 children, and indirectly of their families. Populations in remote rural areas of Tunisia are affected by the socio-economic impact of the health crisis due to loss of livelihood opportunities and food insecurity following movement restrictions and severe import and local sourcing challenges. Female smallholder farmers have been among the most exposed to vulnerabilities, from worsening working conditions to loss of employment.

This funding from Japan will help WFP to contribute to reducing suffering and supporting the early recovery of people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to mitigate the further spread of the virus, through strengthening the government’s capacity. WFP will also build on its successful cooperation with the Tunisian government by further strengthening its capacities regarding the resilience of the food supply chains, to ensure its preparedness to respond to emergencies.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.  We are 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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