KABUL, Afghanistan — Japan has contributed $7 million to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Afghanistan to support emergency food assistance, combat malnutrition and expand school feeding programs, the agency said in a statement.
The funding will allow WFP to provide emergency food aid to nearly 30,000 families—over 200,000 people—for three months, the statement said. It will also support specialized nutrition programs for more than 60,000 pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children.
In addition, the contribution will help provide daily school snacks for nearly 30,000 children, aiming to improve their focus and ability to learn in the classroom.
“Thanks to humanitarian assistance and better harvests, we’ve seen significant improvements in overall food security,” Takayoshi Kuromiya, Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, said in the statement. “However, 15 million Afghans still do not know where their next meal will come from. These numbers represent real families, children and communities in urgent need, and the Government of Japan remains committed to supporting Afghan families through this crisis.”
WFP said the funding comes at a critical time, as hunger and economic hardship continue to deepen ahead of Afghanistan’s harsh winter. Limited work opportunities and food shortages have left families facing impossible choices, the agency noted, with many forced to decide between heating their homes or feeding their children.
“As economic opportunities remain out of reach for many, especially for women, families across Afghanistan are also having to endure a harsh winter,” said Mutinta Chimuka, WFP’s acting country director for Afghanistan. “WFP is committed to supporting the most vulnerable, particularly women-headed families. Thanks to the generosity of partners like Japan, we were able to reach more than 12 million people last year, providing a vital lifeline in the face of ongoing challenges.”
Since 2021, Japan has contributed $93 million to WFP’s operations in Afghanistan, helping to assist some of the country’s most vulnerable families, the agency said.
According to the UNOCHA, a shrinking protection space, a fragile economy, insufficient access to basic services, natural hazards and climate-induced shocks, as well as regional political dynamics continue to undermine the ability of Afghans to recover from 40 years of conflict. In 2025, almost half of the population – some 22.9 million people – will require humanitarian assistance to survive.
The UN appealed for $2.42 billion to provide help for those who need in 2025.
