Friday, 25 May 2012 16:34 Mizzima News
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday confirmed the receipt of US$ 10.6 million from the Government of Japan for its operations to fight hunger in Burma.
The Japanese donation brings its total contribution to WFP’s current work in Myanmar to US$ 22.4 million – by some distance WFP’s largest donor in the country. The latest tranche was handed over at a signing ceremony at WFP’s Rangoon office.
“Japan’s support is generous and timely,” said WFP Country Director Carlos Veloso. “At this critical point in Myanmar’s history, WFP is well placed to play a key role in the fight against hunger and undernutrition. Together with donors such as Japan, we can make a real difference, right now.”
The Japanese donation will be used to provide food and nutrition assistance through a food-for-work programme for nearly 350,000 people. In return for their labour on projects to build community resilience such as roads, bridges and irrigation schemes, workers will receive food rations.
“The government and people of Japan is committed to helping Myanmar through WFP,” said Masahiko Tanaka, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Myanmar office.
“Like Japan, this country is prone to natural disasters and vulnerable to the effects of climate change, so we understand the needs, and how they can be effectively addressed. Moreover, we expect this assistance will also contribute to the government’s enthusiastic national reconciliation efforts.”
So far this year, Japan has contributed nearly US$ 140 million to WFP, making it the agency’s third largest donor.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) on Friday confirmed the receipt of US$ 10.6 million from the Government of Japan for its operations to fight hunger in Burma.
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| Burmese children playing with toys after a delivery of U.N. aid supplies. Photo: U.N. |
The Japanese donation brings its total contribution to WFP’s current work in Myanmar to US$ 22.4 million – by some distance WFP’s largest donor in the country. The latest tranche was handed over at a signing ceremony at WFP’s Rangoon office.
“Japan’s support is generous and timely,” said WFP Country Director Carlos Veloso. “At this critical point in Myanmar’s history, WFP is well placed to play a key role in the fight against hunger and undernutrition. Together with donors such as Japan, we can make a real difference, right now.”
The Japanese donation will be used to provide food and nutrition assistance through a food-for-work programme for nearly 350,000 people. In return for their labour on projects to build community resilience such as roads, bridges and irrigation schemes, workers will receive food rations.
“The government and people of Japan is committed to helping Myanmar through WFP,” said Masahiko Tanaka, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s Myanmar office.
“Like Japan, this country is prone to natural disasters and vulnerable to the effects of climate change, so we understand the needs, and how they can be effectively addressed. Moreover, we expect this assistance will also contribute to the government’s enthusiastic national reconciliation efforts.”
So far this year, Japan has contributed nearly US$ 140 million to WFP, making it the agency’s third largest donor.
WFP is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. Each year, on average, WFP feeds more than 90 million people in more than 70 countries.
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