Port-au-Prince – The Government of Japan and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) will collaborate over the next 12 months to provide vouchers to nearly 4,000 Haitian families to meet their basic food needs.
The Government of Japan made a major contribution of US$2.04 million to WFP's overall efforts to fight hunger in Haiti. The most recent Integrated Food Security Status Classification (IPC) report shows that more than 4.3 million people – almost half of the total population – in Haiti are experiencing crisis (IPC phase 3) or high levels of food insecurity.
Voucher distributions will be targeted to geographic areas experiencing emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of food insecurity, including the most vulnerable pockets in Port-au-Prince. This goal can be adjusted according to changing needs.
Households will be selected to participate in the program based on a vulnerability analysis taking into account factors such as female-headed households, households formed by the elderly or disabled, and households with young children.
Vouchers with a cash value of US$ 24 per person per month can be redeemed at selected vendors for food items. Vouchers are meant to help families partially meet their monthly household nutrition needs, otherwise subsidizing other household means to fill the gap.
„Using commodity vouchers and cash-based transfers gives recipients the dignity to choose the food items that best suit their family needs, while supporting local entrepreneurs who provide them. This is part of a broader WFP initiative. Haiti is providing food aid in a way that promotes local production and boosts the national economy.” ” said Jean-Martin Bauer, WFP's Representative and Country Director in Haiti.
„WFP is one of our key partners in realizing the concept of human security that Japan has long promoted in its diplomacy. We believe that WFP will use its logistical capacity so that this contribution will help vulnerable people in Haiti. The food they need while developing the local economy, addressing the undeniable relationship between conflict and hunger.” Considering the current situation in Haiti, it is necessary to support Haiti's efforts to achieve lasting peace. NEXUS, Japan, in cooperation with international organizations, continues to support the Haitian government's efforts in the humanitarian and development sectors,” said Japan Ambassador to Haiti Yuji Kubo.
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