RAMALLAH,
October 7, 2015 (WAFA) - The Government of Japan has announced a $4 million
(JPY 440,000 million) donation to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
to support the most vulnerable Palestinian families living in the Gaza Strip.
Japan’s
contribution will enable WFP to provide fortified wheat flour to 92,000 of the
poorest Palestinians for three months and purchase Japanese-produced,
high-quality canned tuna.
This
is a very good source of protein and micronutrients, such as vitamin A, zinc,
and iron and is a key commodity for WFP’s nutritious food rations. The canned
tuna also has a long shelf-life, which allows WFP to store part of the purchase
as a contingency stock in case of an emergency.
Daniela
Owen, WFP Representative and Country Director said, “We are grateful for the
continued commitment and support from the Government of Japan for food
assistance to food-insecure Palestinians.”
“WFP
and Japan have been partners in Palestine for over a decade and together we
will continue to fight food insecurity in the future,” she added.
The
new Japanese donation was confirmed with the signing of an agreement at a
ceremony in Ramallah, attended by Ambassador of Japan to the Palestinian
Authority Takeshi Okubo, Minister of Social Affairs Shawqi Al-Aissa, and Owen.
In
the last ten years, Japan has donated more than $40 million to WFP’s programmes
in Palestine, making Japan one of the top three donors here as well as one of
the largest donors to WFP globally.
The
generosity from the Government of Japan has allowed WFP to continue investing
in the local economy. Since 2011, more than $170 million has been injected into
the Palestinian economy through WFP’s local food purchases and electronic
vouchers.
Ambassador
Okubo said: “Japan believes the fight against hunger is winnable and we believe
that WFP is playing a major role in breaking the cycle of hunger by promoting
effective food systems. This project fits well the scope of securing human
security which Japan has long sought for”.
Meanwhile,
al-Aissa said: “This generous contribution from the Government of Japan to the
poor people in Palestine, particularly in Gaza, reflects the strong historic
relations between the people of Japan and the Palestinian people. We greatly
appreciate this continued support for our partnership with the World Food
Programme which impacts the lives of food insecure people”.
M.H
