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The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has expressed gratitude to Japan for its latest contribution of US$5.6 million, which will be used to provide wheat flour and pulses to food insecure and vulnerable internally displaced people (IDPs) in Yemen.

“This donation brings Japan’s contributions to our current emergency operation to nearly US$30 million, making Japan our second largest donor,” said WFP Yemen Representative and Country Director Bishow Parajuli. “We are extremely grateful for Japan’s considerable and consistent support, which has proven crucial in assisting the most vulnerable.”

A special handover ceremony took place today at WFP’s warehouse in Sana’a to mark the donation, attended by Japan’s Ambassador to Yemen, Katsuyoshi Hayashi, together with Yemeni Government representatives and staff from the Japanese Embassy and WFP.

“The government of Japan is eager to contribute to alleviating the suffering caused by food shortages across Yemen, which is going through a very critical juncture on the humanitarian and political fronts,” said Ambassador Hayashi. “We hope this new food assistance will contribute to the effort which has been made by Yemeni people to stabilize the country through the political transitional period.”

WFP is currently providing assistance to more than 5 million people in Yemen; these include 600,000 IDPs; 325,000 children under two years with malnutrition prevention activities; 200,000 children under five with malnutrition treatment activities; 157,000 pregnant and nursing mothers with nutrition support; and 3.8 million people who are food insecure.

In July 2014, WFP will launch a new two-year relief and recovery operation worth US$500 million to reach some 6 million people with a range of activities, including school feeding, cash and food for work, and nutrition support interventions, as well as relief assistance for the most food insecure.
“This new operation reflects a gradual shift from providing relief to building recovery and resilience, helping people overcome barriers to food and nutrition security and manage the consequences of conflict and natural stresses,” said Parajuli. “However, its success will depend on the continued generosity of major donors such as Japan.