By ZBC Reporter
THE Government of Japan has pledged more than eight million US Dollars in emergency funding to support the vulnerable in Zimbabwe.
In a statement, the Japanese Embassy said the assistance will be channelled through four different international organisations, namely the World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The Government of Japan has committed a total of over US$ 8.6 million in funding for five different projects seeking to address the basic needs of the most vulnerable. Firstly, US$ 4.5 million in funding will provide emergency food assistance to food-insecure households in urban areas, through WFP. It will especially focus on women-led households, people with disabilities, and people living with HIV, in order to ensure that they are able to meet their basic food and nutrition needs. The funding will cover the urgent food needs of 56,000 people, who will receive monthly electronic vouchers (e-vouchers) for food valued at US$ 12 per person. In another emergency project implemented through WFP, Japan will provide funding of US$ 1.25 million to support vulnerable communities, read the statement.
Japan will also provide funding of 1.25 million US Dollars to support communities in Mount Darwin and Matobo Districts with food assistance while at the same time construct weir dams and nutrition gardens.
The project is expected to assist 11, 080 vulnerable people.