WFP Welcomes Japan’s Contribution To Support Fight Against Hunger In Chad And C.A.R.

WFP Chad will receive 400 million JPY (US$3.9 million) to strengthen the resilience of the Sudanese and Central African refugees currently residing in eastern Chad.  These people are unable to return home due to a number of factors and rely solely on WFP food assistance.

“At a time when donors have to prioritize one humanitarian emergency over another, we are extremely grateful to the people of Japan for their timely support. In Chad, we have already reduced food rations for refugees due to funding constraints, and this new contribution provides some relief,” said WFP Regional Director of West Africa, Denise Brown.

WFP has received only half of its budgetary requirements to respond to the food needs of Sudanese and Central African refugees in the eastern part of Chad. Recently WFP was forced to cut the food rations of more than 300,000 refugees by 60 percent, leaving them vulnerable to food insecurity, exploitation and abuse.

In the Central African Republic, Japan’s contribution 240 million JPY (US$2.34 million) will help to purchase various foods including corn soya blend flour, used in programmes to help prevent malnutrition. More than 500,000 people are internally displaced in C.A.R. and are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.

“The world should not forget the refugees who fled the horrors of the Darfur crisis several years ago as well as the people in the Central African Republic who have been displaced and have no access to their fields or any source of income. They all depend on the support and solidarity of the international community. Our provision of life-saving assistance will, I hope, support people who are forced to live in these harsh conditions,” said H.E. Mr. Tsutomu Arai, Ambassador of Japan covering both Chad and CAR.

In 2014, WFP plans to assist 1.2 million people under a relief and recovery operation in addition to supporting other vulnerable groups in Chad. For this, WFP requires US$11.5 million for the next six months.

Inside C.A.R., WFP is assisting around 500,000 people per month in more than 100 locations.

The Government of Japan has provided more than US$32 million to WFP Chad over the past five years and US$19.1 million to C.A.R.

#                              #                                 #

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide, delivering food in emergencies and working with communities to build resilience. In 2013, WFP assisted more than 80 million people in 75 countries.

For more information, please contact (email address: firstname.surname@wfp.org):

Keiko Egusa, Embassy of Japan in Cameroon, Tel +237-2220-6202

Hiroko Konno, Embassy of Japan in Cameroon, Tel +237-2220-6202

Arnold Kawuba, WFP/N’djamena, Mobile +235 66 99 34 20

Djekorkeme Mbaihilamgue , WFP/N’djamena, Mobile +235 66 20 1541

Fabienne Pompey, WFP Regional Bureau/Dakar, mobile + 221 77 637 59 64