Japan Partners With Wfp To Build Resilience Of Conflict-affected Nigerians

Abuja, Nigeria – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has welcomed a contribution of US$2 million from the Government of Japan that willprovide life-changing support to people and communities affected by insecurity in northeastern Nigeria.As part of WFP’s efforts to build stability across communities in northeast Nigeria, Japan’s contribution will support more than 48,000 women and men to rebuild their livelihoods. WFP will provide food purchased with these funds to people growing crops, raising livestock and rehabilitating assets that may have been damaged during conflict in the region.“The government of Japan is committed to supporting Nigerian and international efforts to ensure that millions of people in need of food in northeast Nigeria do not go hungry,” said Shigeru Umetsu, Chargé d’affaires ad interim of Japan to Nigeria. “It’s expected that this funding will alleviate the suffering of people in the affected states.”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, and over 250,000 women and children receive supplementary nutritional support.“This funding from the Government of Japan is most welcome at this time,” said Myrta Kaulard, WFP Representative in Nigeria. “In partnership with Japan, WFP can maintain its focus on protecting people and making them self-reliant again because ultimately, we want to stop these people from becoming dependent on food assistance.”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. In view of the forth-coming June-July planting season, it is vital that adequate funding for livelihood programmes is received. Livelihood assistance have been shown to bring long-term benefits to development and peace initiatives in conflict-affected regions.