Japan grants $2m to WFP for North-eastern Nigeria

Japan has contributed $2 million to World Food Programme (WFP) as life-changing support to people and communities affected by insecurity in North-eastern Nigeria.

Mr. Kelechi Onyemaobi, National Communications Officer of WFP, said on Wednesday in Abuja that the contribution was to assist WFP’s efforts to build stability across communities in northeast.

Recall 2018: Food security: World bank, FG open up markets for rice farmers

According to WFP, the contribution by the Japanese government will support more than 48,000 women and men to rebuild their livelihoods.

“WFP will provide food purchased with these funds from people growing crops, raising livestock.

The money will also be used in rehabilitating assets that may have been damaged during conflict in the region.

A statement quoting Myrta Kaulard, WFP Representative in Nigeria, described the funding as a timely and welcome idea at this crucial time.

She said there were indications that WFP’s partnership with Japan could maintain its focus on protecting people and making them self-reliant again.

“Japan’s support for livelihoods complements WFP’s lifesaving efforts in Nigeria where some 700,000 people are provided cash or food assistance every month.

“More than 250,000 women and children receive supplementary nutritional support,’’ she said.

Kaulard noted that WFP was working towards stopping the affected people from becoming dependent on food assistance and to be self-sufficient.

“WFP hopes that other donors will follow suit to support changing the lives of thousands of crisis-affected people, thus bringing back stability to Northeast Nigeria. ”

Kaulard noted that as the forth-coming planting season of June and July approaches, it was necessary that adequate funding for livelihood programmes was received.

She also said that the livelihood assistance has been shown to bring long-term benefits to development and peace initiatives in conflict-affected regions.

Meanwhile, Shigeru Umetsu, Chargé d’affaires ad Interim of Japan to Nigeria, expressed the commitment of his government towards supporting Nigerian and international efforts to ensure that millions of people in need of food in Northeast Nigeria do not go hungry.

He expressed the hope that the funding would alleviate the suffering of people in the affected states.