Maputo, 6 Oct (AIM) – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Thursday received a contribution of 1.5 million US dollars from the Japanese government to provide food aid to 50,000 people in northern Mozambique.
In a Thursday press release, the WFP says that, thanks to the Japanese contribution, it will provide rice and tinned fish to people affected by the conflict in the northern province of Cabo Delgado “at a critical moment, when more than 3.3 million people are facing acute food insecurity”.
Japanese ambassador Kimura Hajime recalled that, during his visit to Mozambique in May, the Japanese Prime Minister, Kishida Fumio, had described Mozambique as “a crucial partner of Japan within the strategic plan for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Region”.
“This new food aid, in close partnership with the WFP”, said Hajime, “reflects our strong commitment to the people of Mozambique and our friendship”.
Islamist terrorism in Cabo Delgado has caused massive displacement of population, as peasant households have fled from their homes and their farms.
“Although about 570,000 people have returned to their homes, more than 850,000 remain internally displaced”, said the WFP release. “Both groups require continual support to rebuild their lives and recover their self-sufficiency”.
“With the increase in food prices and growing operational costs, people affected by the conflict are facing even greater difficulties”, said
Antonella D’Aprile, the WFP National Diretor in Mozambique. “We express our sincere gratitude to the people of Japan who are setting a consistent example by extending their hand to the most vulnerable populations in Mozambique.”
This is the third contribution by Japan this year to the WFP’s work in Mozambique. Since 2019, Japan’s total contribution to the WFP’s activities in Mozambique has amounted to 24.7 million dollars.
(AIM)
Pf/ (295)
