Staff Correspondent
The Government of Japan has provided US$5.4 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) for life-
saving food assistance to the Rohingya in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
An Exchange of Notes was signed recently by Japanese Ambassador IWAMA Kiminori and Domenico
Scalpelli, Country Director and Representative, WFP Bangladesh office.
Without livelihood opportunities, the Rohingya rely entirely on humanitarian assistance to meet their
basic needs. WFP’s assistance is the only reliable source of food for the nearly 1 million Rohingya living
in Bangladesh. In March, this lifeline had to be cut, from the full amount of US$12 to $10, and again in
June, to $8 per person, per month in the Cox’s Bazar camps. To cope, families may resort to harmful
practices that make them even more vulnerable to malnutrition, exploitation, human trafficking and
other protection risks.
“We are deeply grateful for Japan’s latest funding and their steadfast support over the years,” said WFP
Country Director Scalpelli.” While we are encouraged by the partial increase of the rations, the
escalating hunger and malnutrition rates in the camps highlight the urgent need to fully restore the
ration. We rely on Japan and the rest of the donor community to continue their vital support, ensuring
that we can meet, at least, the Rohingya’s basic food and nutrition needs until they can be repatriated
safely.”
Ambassador IWAMA expressed his hope that the support from Government of Japan would improve
living conditions of both Rohingya and host communities.
“We are pleased to have decided to provide $5.4 million in life-saving food assistance to the displaced
Rohingya people through WFP, building on the $4.4 million provided in June last year. It is our hope that
this assistance will help to alleviate the severe food crisis, reduce the risk of disaster and improve the
quality of life of the people living in the camps. This contribution underscores Japan’s unwavering
commitment to humanitarian aid and our dedication to addressing hunger and malnutrition. By
supporting the Rohingya community, we alleviate immediate suffering and contribute to the broader
goal of fostering stability and peace in the region” he said.
Since the beginning of the emergency in August 2017, Japan has been a steadfast supporter of the
Rohingya refugee response in Bangladesh, contributing over USD $220 million to WFP and other UN
agencies as well as NGOs in Bangladesh, including through this new funding.
