Ramallah: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Monday formalized an agreement with the Government of Japan, securing a JPY 500 million (approx. USD 3.1 million) grant to aid Palestinians experiencing severe food insecurity.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the agreement was signed in Ramallah in a ceremony featuring ARAIKE Katsuhiko, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and the Representative of Japan to Palestine, and Kate Newton, Deputy Country Director of WFP Palestine. The event was presided over by Samah Hamad, Minister of Social Development of the Palestinian Authority.
The Representative Office of Japan described the grant as a significant contribution that will enhance food security for over 170,000 people by providing wheat flour and Japanese canned fish. The grant comes at a time when access to food remains precarious in Gaza and the West Bank, exacerbated by ongoing conflict and economic challenges.
The Office highlighted that Japan's latest contribution elevates its total support to WFP's initiatives in Palestine to approximately USD 69 million since 2023. This underscores Japan's dedication to humanitarian efforts and its understanding of the difficulties faced by vulnerable communities.
Araike emphasized the persistent challenges in Gaza, noting that many Palestinians continue to rely heavily on external food aid due to limited production capabilities. He also pointed out similar hardships in the West Bank, where military operations and movement restrictions severely impact food affordability and supply.
Japan's contribution, Araike expressed, is intended to help alleviate these challenges, with hopes that the delivery by WFP will improve access to nutritious food. Newton, representing WFP, expressed gratitude for Japan's unwavering support, stressing the importance of continued humanitarian assistance to uphold progress against hunger in the region.