Japan extends US$1m through WFP to tackle impendin...

Japan extends US$1m through WFP to tackle impending food crisis

**Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, left and WFP Representative and Country Director, Francesca Erdelmann**

The Government of Japan has extended a crucial lifeline through the United Nations World Food Programme, allocating a substantial US$1 million (¥200 000 000) to aid over 40 000 vulnerable individuals in the country in a bid to alleviate the El Nino induced looming food crisis.

The assistance, consisting of 1 304 metric tonnes of essential cereals, pulses, and vegetable oil, aims to bolster food-insecure regions during the impending 2024/25 lean season, spanning from October this year to March next year.

Speaking to journalists during the signing in ceremony of the donation, Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Shinichi Yamanaka, highlighted his nation’s unwavering commitment to addressing the crisis. “Japan is committed to supporting communities in need of emergency food assistance. I hope that this assistance will help vulnerable people to overcome the current crisis,” said Yamanaka.

The initiative aligns seamlessly with Zimbabwe’s Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy, striving to prevent household food stock depletion, mitigate harmful coping mechanisms, and protect the most vulnerable from further food insecurity. Expressing gratitude for Japan’s benevolence, WFP’s Representative and Country Director, Francesca Erdelmann, highlighted the significance of the donation.

“We appreciate the generosity of the Government of Japan, as this donation will significantly contribute to our efforts in alleviating hunger and improving the lives of those most in need,” she said Forecasts predict exacerbated challenges due to the El Nino phenomenon, amplifying food and nutrition insecurity across the region. Diminished harvests and scarce livelihood prospects are expected to intensify the severity of the 2024/2025 lean season.

Japan’s steadfast partnership with WFP in Zimbabwe, dating back to 2019, has seen cumulative contributions exceeding US$25.5 million towards food assistance and resilience-building initiatives for vulnerable communities. – The Environment