Japan's Official Development Assistance White Paper 2005
Next PageMain Text > Part II ODA DISBURSEMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2004 > Chapter 2 Details and New Policies about Japan's ODA: Striving for Further ODA Reforms > Section 2. Measures for Each of the Priority Issues > 3. Addressing Global Issues > (4) Food
(4) Food
Approximately 800 million people 35 in the world are reportedly suffering from hunger, including children. Every five seconds, a child dies of causes related to hunger. The Rome Declaration adopted at the World Food Summit and the MDGs set a target of reducing by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger by 2015. Meanwhile the need for food aid has been growing due to conflicts, natural disasters, economic crises, and other problems.
Children eating buckwheat cookies made with the assistance of the WFP and JICA. As a result of the distribution of buckwheat cookies the number of children attending school increased (Myanmar)
Chart 19. Provision Made in Food Aid by Region
Japan, as mentioned earlier, has provided food aid to developing countries faced with food shortages and has supported efforts to improve the food productivity of the developing countries as a medium- to long-term effort. The food aid is implemented from a humanitarian viewpoint to help those who suffer from hunger. In FY2004, Japan disbursed a total of ¥10.444 billion Food Aid (KR) to countries faced with food shortages, such as those in Africa. Of this amount, ¥4.63 billion was disbursed through bilateral assistance, and ¥5,814 million was extended through international organizations such as the World Food Programme ( WFP ) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency ( UNRWA ). Japan has been making an active contribution to the WFP in particular, by extending US$135.73 million in 2004, including KR through WFP, making Japan the third biggest donor after the United States and the European Commission.
While food distribution is important for people whose survival is at stake, it is equally indispensable to carry out project-type food assistance for promoting the self-help efforts of the recipient countries. Japan has been supporting measures such as school feeding programs and "food-for-work" (distributing food in return for labor), implemented by WFP. There are approximately 100 million children in the world who fail to go to elementary school. School feeding can promote children to go to school and deepen their understanding of lessons. By supplying children, particularly girls, with take-home rations, such programs can also assist their families and promote their understanding of education. "Food-for-work" is designed to promote participation of local farmers to develop infrastructures in rural communities and distribute food in return for labor. It is aimed at promoting ownership of local residents.