WFP Country Director ,Felix Bamezon said the donation would ensure that vulnerable families badly hit by last year’s drought receive food assistance during the peak hunger period expected to last until the next harvests in April.
"The contribution allows WFP to purchase maize for 215 000 people and pulses for 850 000 others for two months," Bamezon said.
It is estimated that 1.6 million people are currently unable to meet their food needs.
Japan’s contribution will be used for the Seasonal Targeted Assistance programme being jointly implemented by WFP and the Government of Zimbabwe in 37 rural districts. Through this initiative, more than 1.4 million people in need are receiving rations of cereals, cooking oil and mixed pulses.
In the last decade, Japan has contributed more than $29 million to WFP’s operations in Zimbabwe.
The Asian country has been providing food support for vulnerable communities in developing countries since 1968.
Japan is one of the largest humanitarian donors in Zimbabwe. Since 2010, it has provided more than S$ 41 million of humanitarian and development assistance through WFP and other international agencies.
Zimbabwe has been facing perennial shortages since the chaotic land reform exercise the Zanu (PF)-led government embarked on in 2 000.
Post published in: News