Food Aid to the African Countries through the World Food Programme (WFP)

October 28, 2005

The Government of Japan has decided to extend food aid totaling 1.28 billion yen (approximately US$ 11.3 million) through the World Food Programme (WFP) to seven countries in Africa: victims of Darfur conflict in the western part of Sudan and Chad who are suffering from "the world's worst humanitarian crisis"; southern African countries facing serious food crisis caused by drought; and such countries as Liberia in need of food being in an unstable transitional stage from conflict to peace. Notes to this effect were exchanged on October 28 (Fri) in Rome between Ms. Nobuko Matsubara, Japanese Ambassador to Italy, and Mr. Jean-Jacques Graisse, Senior Deputy Executive Director of the WFP.

The breakdown of this assistance is as follows:

(1)	For internally displaced persons and other afflicted people in the Greater Darfur region, Sudan	(330 million yen)
(2)	For Darfur refugees and vulnerable host communities in eastern Chad	(150 million yen)
(3)	For vulnerable persons in Côte d'Ivoire	(200 million yen)
(4)	For vulnerable persons in Liberia	(200 million yen)
(5)	For vulnerable persons suffering from food shortages caused by drought in Swaziland	(100 million yen)
(6)	For vulnerable persons suffering from food shortages caused by drought in Zambia	(150 million yen)
(7)	For vulnerable persons suffering from food shortages caused by drought in Zimbabwe	(150 million yen)

In the Greater Darfur region in the western part of Sudan, an intensified conflict between Arab militia and African anti-governmental forces since 2003 has killed approximately 70,000 people and displaced more than 1.6 million. Sudan is also suffering from extreme food shortage caused by the ongoing drought in recent years. After some 20 years of conflict between north and south in the country, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was reached in January this year to end the longest civil war in Africa, and the new regime of the Government of National Unity was established in July. Taking stock of the progress in the north-south peace process, the government and anti-governmental forces in Darfur signed a declaration for political resolution in July 2005. The situation, however, remains fluid and unstable.

Under these circumstances, the G8 Gleneagles Summit held in July this year agreed on further support of the international community to conclude the Darfur crisis, known as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The WFP has provided food aid for 2.3 million vulnerable people in Darfur, and 350,000 Darfur refugees to Chad and receiving local communities, and appealed for assistance from other countries. Responding to the request, Japan has decided to assist the WFP project to distribute wheat for victims of Darfur conflict in Sudan and Chad. In April 2005, Japan announced that it would provide a package of assistance totaling $100 million to Sudan for the near term to encourage the consolidation of peace in Sudan. The food aid announced today is part of the pledged aid. This brings the total already decided upon to nearly 70% of the $100 million pledged by Japan.
Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia are both in critical stage of transition from internal conflict to peace, and are facing serious food shortage. Hence, the food aid is expected to play an important role in the stabilization of these countries.

In Côte d'Ivoire, confrontation between the government and the anti-government forces erupted in September 2002, and the country has since been divided into two, with the northern and western parts of the country being occupied by anti-government forces. Despite peace agreements reached several times while the UN missions are deployed, demilitarization has not yet been started, the presidential election scheduled in October this year has been postponed, and the situation continues to be tense. In Liberia, internal conflict has continued intermittently for 14 years since 1989, and it is reported that 150,000 people have been killed and 2.2 million are displaced. The National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL) which is joined by anti-government forces was inaugurated in August 2003 by the peace agreement, and the Presidential and Parliamentarian elections were held on October 11, 2005. It is expected that new government will be established in January next year.

The destruction of the agricultural infrastructure and the lagging recovery of its productivity have caused food shortages in these countries. Through the food aid, Japan will provide financial resource to purchase wheat and rice for food distribution program of WFP targeting vulnerable groups as the internally displaced persons, returning refugees and malnourished children.
Southern Africa is currently suffering a severe food shortage as a result of the worst harvest since 1992 caused by drought from last year. In July 2005, Japan decided to extend food aid totaling 800 million yen (US$ 7 million) to Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho and Angola, and this time Japan will provide 400 million yen (US$ 3.5 million) in total (maize grain and flour) to Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Swaziland, in addition to a food shortage, has the world's highest HIV/AIDS infection rate of 38.8%, which causes a critical situation in labor productivity and economic development. The WFP projects in the country have been successful in improving nutrition and preventing spread of diseases. Zambia's 180,000 population is also in urgent need of food because of drought, and 1.2 million people are expected to be short of food in January next year, the most leany season of the year. Zimbabwe was once called "Africa's grain basket" because of its large-scale farming. However, the land reform implemented by the Mugabe government caused a disruption and dramatic decrease of its agricultural production. Since August last year, the market price of grains has escalated by 200% to 400 %, and together with ongoing ill effect of drought, Zimbabwe has suffered serious food shortage and hunger. The Government of Japan has urged the Government of Zimbabwe, at every opportunity, to restore sound economic policies. However, in view of the present crisis, Japan extends this food aid through the WFP in response to the request of the UN from a humanitarian point of view.

Last fiscal year, Japan extended food aid of 950 million yen (US$ 8.4 million) in total to the above-mentioned countries in southern Africa, and has decided on this further assistance in view of the worsening situation in the region. Thus, the food aid for southern Africa since January this year amounts to 1.7 billion yen (approximately US$ 15.5 million).
It is hoped that the food aid would alleviate food shortages and contribute to stability. The food aid is part of Japan's commitment on Africa announced by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Asia-Africa Summit Meeting held in April this year in Indonesia.

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