BY SETHABILE MYENI
MBABANE – The Government of Japan, through World Food Programme Eswatini has extended food aid to the value of E25.4 million to the Kingdom of Eswatini.
This happened during the signing of the Exchange of Notes between the World Food Programme Eswatini (WFP) and the Government of Japan at Hilton Garden Hotel, today.
WFP Director Deepak Shah, said the contribution will have a positive impact on the lives of the out-of-school children of Eswatini.
“This donation is directed towards the vital cause of combating hunger and malnutrition in all its forms. With this support, the Government of Eswatini and WFP will continue the implementation of the Neighbourhood Care Point (NCP) Programme benefiting over 30 000 children under 6 years of age through over 800 NCPs throughout the country. This contribution takes the form of essential food items for the children including rice, maize, beans and vegetable oil,” he said.
Shah added that they will continue to support the economic and social development while promoting food security among the most vulnerable members of the population.
He said WFP Eswatini will continue to work closely with NCP Caregivers to enhance agricultural productivity.
“The aim is to achieve the goal of zero hunger as laid out in the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030,” he said.
Speaking during the signing ceremony the Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development Thabisile Mlangeni, said they are privileged to have Japan as their key development partners that assist Government to attain the Sustainable Development Goals.
“Even during the Covid 19 Pandemic when all governments were overwhelmed with the economic impact of the pandemic, Japan continued to support Eswatini, contributing over E145 million that financial year, 2020/2021 towards projects like the construction of four social-inclusive schools, the procurement of Agricultural Equipment, Covid 19 Medical Equipment and more,” said Mlangeni.
Mlangeni disclosed that the food aid will go a long way in supporting education by providing at least one daily meal for 12 months to the OVCs. She said this will ensure sufficient nutrition and maintain focus in school which encourages school attendance and combats malnutrition.
Meanwhile, Japan Ambassador to Eswatini, Ushio Shigeru said the food assistance will go towards 27 500 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) as well as 1 700 Caregiver household members throughout the country.
“Through this programme, the orphans and vulnerable children who are aged between 24 months and 8 years, will be provided with hot meals to adequately meet their basic food and nutrition needs and will be able to access quality early childhood care development and pre-primary education,” he said.
He mentioned that this collaboration between Japan and Eswatini dated back to 2003.
Donated food include 400 tons of rice from Japan, 340 tons of maize from Eswatini, 61 tons of canned fish from Japan, 91 tons of beans from Eswatini and 17 tons of vegetable oil from South Africa.
