Japan supports food assistance for 94,000 conflict-affected people in northern Mozambique

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a JPY 300 million contribution, equivalent to approximately USD 1.8 million, from the Government of Japan, to provide food assistance for 94,000 conflict-affected people in northern Mozambique.

The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, published in September, found that 1.84 million people in Mozambique face crisis levels of food insecurity or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above). These families face serious food shortages and may be forced to skip meals or sell essential assets, while the most severely affected face heightened risk of acute malnutrition and death. Conflict, extreme weather, including cyclones, droughts and floods, and high food prices continue to drive food insecurity across the country.

Japan’s contribution will provide food assistance to 94,000 displaced and conflict-affected people in the areas of Cabo Delgado and Nampula provinces hardest hit by insecurity and displacement. The assistance will include canned fish from Japan and locally procured rice, supporting Mozambican suppliers and local markets.

Speaking at a ceremony in Maputo to announce the contribution, Keiji Hamada, Ambassador of Japan to Mozambique said: “Japan has continuously supported vulnerable populations affected by conflict and natural disasters in Mozambique, with particular emphasis on food assistance. Through this new contribution, we hope to help address the urgent food needs of displaced and conflict-affected families, while continuing to work closely with the Government of Mozambique and WFP to support those most in need.”

WFP works with national and local authorities, humanitarian partners and communities to ensure assistance reaches the most vulnerable. Yet, humanitarian needs remain high and resources critically low. Funding constraints have forced WFP to prioritise food assistance for the most vulnerable people in northern Mozambique, highlighting the urgent need for additional resources.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Government and people of Japan, families can meet their basic food needs without having to take harmful measures to cope with hunger,” said Claire Conan, WFP Representative and Country Director in Mozambique. “Procuring rice from local suppliers also supports local markets. Japan’s timely contribution comes as humanitarian needs remain high and resources are critically low. With forecasts indicating that El Niño could worsen food insecurity in the coming months, WFP’s limited resources risk being stretched even further.”

Japan has provided USD 14 million to WFP since 2022, supporting humanitarian and development operations that address food insecurity, strengthen resilience and improve the well-being of vulnerable communities across Mozambique.

The United Nations World Food Programme 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 weather extremes.

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The Government of Japan has been providing humanitarian and development assistance to Mozambique, including support for populations affected by conflict and natural disasters. In northern Mozambique, Japan has continued to support vulnerable communities through food assistance and other humanitarian interventions, in close cooperation with the Government of Mozambique and international partners.

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Source: World Food Programmer (WFP) / Press Release