Emirates News Agency – Japan provides $2 million to support WFP response to food insecurity in Mali

Bamako, 20 August 2022 (WAM) — The Government of Japan has made an additional $2 million contribution (approximately 1.3 billion XOF) to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to meet unprecedented food and nutrition needs in Bamako. support the response to Mali.

With this funding, WFP will provide multifaceted food and nutrition assistance to 89,000 crisis-affected women, men and children in the central, northern and southern regions of Mali.

“This additional funding is vital for the communities we serve during this time of weakening livelihoods,” said WFP President and Mali Representative Eric Perdison.

“As part of the National Food Insecurity Response Plan, we will provide cash transfers to the most vulnerable people to help them choose what they need to feed their families, while strengthening local markets and developing local economies. increase.

Japan’s contribution comes at a time when about 2 million people in Mali (10% of the total population) are experiencing severe food insecurity during the low agricultural and livestock season (June to August 2022) . This is up from her 1.3 million for the same period last year. Communities affected by drought and inadequate rainfall continue to suffer the adverse effects of COVID-19 and intercommunal conflict, with two of his households in Mali grappling with rising food prices. and are unable to meet their dietary needs.