Japan helps WFP feed thousands of poor Afghans

Japan helps WFP feed thousands of poor Afghans
02.11.2006 KABUL – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today welcomed another major food shipment of 3,900 tonnes of rice from the Government of Japan as part of a larger pledge that includes other food commodities destined to help thousands of Afghans.

In response to the continuing food shortage in the country, the Japanese Government has thus far donated US$ 3.5 million to WFP's humanitarian operations during 2006. Amongst others, those assisted include widows, orphans, the disabled and TB patients and their families in food insecure rural areas of Afghanistan. The assistance is mainly distributed through WFP's food-for-training programmes and food for work programmes.

"We are very grateful to Japan for this contribution. It has made a big difference in our efforts to feed and improve living condition of many poor Afghans," said WFP Country Director and Representative Rick Corsino. "The donation comes just in time to help many whose difficulties are worsened by the approach of winter and the poor harvest caused by drought in much of the country,"

In June 2006, Japan's donation of pulses was crucial to WFP operations as, at the time, the agency faced severe food shortages including pulses, wheat, oil and salt.

"Thanks to Japan's continuing assistance, the rice will provide diversity to the existing diet and is a crucial supplement, especially for women and children who typically suffer the most during hard times." said Corsino.

Following its similar, successful operation last year, WFP is aiming to distribute the food before thousands of isolated and food-insecure communities are cut off by Afghanistan's severe winter snows. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Afghans are seriously affected each year by natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, earthquakes, heavy snowfalls and rains in virtually all parts of the country.

Donors: Contributions to WFP's Protracted Relief and Recovery Operations, PRRO 10427.06, launched in January 2006: from the United States (US$ 68 million), India (US$ 10 million), Japan (US$ 6.2 million), Netherlands (US$ 3.6 million), Switzerland (US$ 3.3 million), Italy (US$ 2.3 million), France (US$ 1.3 million) and Germany (US$ 1.3 million) plus several other donors.

WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency: each year, we give food to an average of 90 million poor people to meet their nutritional needs, including 61 million hungry children, in at least 80 of the world's poorest countries. WFP -- We Feed People.

WFP Global School Feeding Campaign – For just 19 US cents a day, you can help WFP give children in poor countries a healthy meal at school – a gift of hope for a brighter future.

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