The Ambassador of Japan to Rwanda visited the Mahama refugee camp in Rwanda’s eastern province on Tuesday. He handed over food aid worth $ 1 million. This was received by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
According to Ambassador Takayuki Miyashita, this was an opportunity to celebrate a $ 1 million gift of food that his government gave to these refugees.
“This contribution will enable WFP to provide food and nutrition assistance to more than 60,000 Burundian refugees living in Mahama camp. WFP plans to distribute more than 800 tons of food, including highly nutritious foods, “said Edith Heines, WFP representative in Rwanda and country director.
In Mahama camp, WFP is using a hybrid approach to food assistance in cash and in kind.
In addition to providing vital monthly food aid to refugees, WFP also provides specialized nutritious foods for the treatment and prevention of acute and moderate malnutrition among children under five years old, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and persons with disabilities. living with HIV / AIDS and TB patients.
According to UNHCR, the Government of Japan is a key partner and supporter of the refugee program in Rwanda. In the last ten years, the Government of Japan has provided more than US $ 10 million in food assistance to refugees in Rwanda.
The Government of Japan has also announced a new contribution of approximatively $ 270,000. UNHCR Rwanda emphasized that this envelope should cover the areas of legal assistance, child protection and the health sector.