By : JD
Jordan Daily – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is grappling with funding shortfalls that have forced it to cut its monthly cash assistance for refugees by a third since July 2023. Despite these challenges, the WFP continues to provide aid to 410,000 refugees in Jordan’s camps and host communities, who depend on this support to meet their basic food needs.
In a recent visit to the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, Okuyama Jiro, the Ambassador of Japan to Jordan, reaffirmed Japan’s decade-long commitment to supporting WFP’s refugee response in Jordan. This year, Japan’s contribution has enabled the WFP to assist 24,896 refugees for one month and conduct activities promoting good nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under two years old.
During his visit, Ambassador Okuyama engaged with a family benefiting from WFP assistance, gaining firsthand insight into their experiences and challenges. He also toured a WFP-contracted supermarket, observing the use of blockchain and iris-scanning technologies for redeeming WFP assistance in camps.
Ambassador Okuyama emphasized Japan’s commitment to supporting vulnerable refugees, stating, “Amid the growing need to address the alarming levels of food insecurity and the increasing vulnerability of refugees in Jordan, this project aims to help them meet their nutritional needs through cash assistance and various community activities.”
Alberto Correia Mendes, WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan, expressed gratitude for Japan’s continuous support, stating, “The support from Japan and other partners is more crucial than ever as we navigate these challenging times, especially given the growing needs by vulnerable refugee families posed by reduced assistance due to funding constraints.”
