Japan provides WFP with US$2.5 million to fight malnutrition in Chad's Sahel

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2018-03-23

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is scaling up nutrition support for 65,000 people in Chad’s fragile Sahel region, thanks to a US$2.5 million contribution from the Government of Japan.

Insufficient rainfall during the last planting season in parts of Chad’s Sahel region has ignited an early onset of the lean season – the period when families increasingly face difficulties feeding themselves as food stocks from the previous harvest are depleted. The situation is compounded by chronically high levels of acute malnutrition.

“We appreciate the timely support from the government and people of Japan that is enabling WFP to provide lifesaving nutrition assistance to women and children,” said Mary-Ellen Mc Groarty, WFP Representative and Country Director in Chad. “We must start now to make a difference in people’s lives in the Sahel regions – and this contribution is a significant boost.”

“This contribution reiterates the support and solidarity of the Japanese people towards Chad,” said Kunio Okumura, the Ambassador of Japan in Chad. “It shows the great respect for the hard work accomplished by the Government of Chad and United Nations organizations to provide sustainable solutions to the growing and urgent needs of populations affected by crises.”

More than 48,500 children under the age of five, along with 16,500 pregnant and nursing women will receive assistance. This support will also be provided to internally displaced people, refugees from neighbouring countries and people from host communities.

WFP plans to assist 641,000 people in Chad this year as part of its emergency response in the Sahel, and urgently needs US$60 million within the next six months to continue this life-saving work.

Source:World Food Programme

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