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Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ welcomes Government of Japan contribution to support refugees in Tanzania

DAR ES SALAAM ¨C The United Nations Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ (Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ) today welcomed a US$ 500,000 contribution from the Government of Japan to help fund its assistance operations in favour of 204 000 refugees from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in camps in the Kigoma region of Tanzania.

The donation was announced during a ceremony at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan, Yasushi Misawa, in the presence of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Country Director and Representative Sarah Gordon-Gibson.

¡°Japan is a strong supporter of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ worldwide and grateful for the role the organization plays in responding to the needs of vulnerable populations hence I am pleased to make this contribution on behalf of the Government and people of Japan, to Tanzania, knowing it will help meet the urgent food needs of vulnerable displaced people at a time of rapidly rising prices and other significant challenges.¡± said H.E. Mr Yasushi Misawa, Ambassador of Japan to Tanzania. ¡°Japan¡¯s contribution to support Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ¡¯s humanitarian response will help ensure vulnerable refugees in Tanzania are able to meet their nutritional needs.¡±

The contribution will be used to purchase 260 tonnes of beans for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ¡¯s food basket, which consists of cereal, a fortified wheat and soya blend with sugar known as Super Cereal, pulses, vegetable oil and salt.

Sizeable funding shortages in recent years have obliged Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ to reduce rations to the refugees at Nyarugusu and Nduta camps, sometimes to as little as two-thirds of their minimum daily caloric needs, with ominous implications for health and well-being.

¡°Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ is grateful to Japan for this timely contribution which comes at a critical time given the challenging circumstances,¡± said Sarah Gordon-Gibson, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Country Director and Representative in Tanzania. ¡°The contribution from Japan will go a long way in investing in the Tanzanian economy through the local procurement of beans which will ultimately and quickly reach vulnerable refugee households.¡±

The Government of Japan has been providing humanitarian food assistance to developing countries since 1968 and is a long-standing partner of Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ in Tanzania.

 

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The United Nations Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ is the world¡¯s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

 

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Topics

Japan United Republic of Tanzania Funding Refugees and migration

Contact

Desta Laiser, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ/ Tanzania,

Mob. +255 768 525 270

email: desta.laiser@wfp.org