File Photo: Refugees cross into Egypt through the Argeen land port with Sudan on April 27, 2023. AFP
This contribution will allow the WFP to provide around 150,000 people who fled to Egypt with ready-to-eat food packages for three months, the WFP's Cairo office said on Monday.
Japan's contribution will also help Egypt provide strongly needed food aid for Sudanese refugees.
Egypt hosts the highest number of Sudanese fleeing the conflict, and more than 5,000 people are estimated to arrive at the Egyptian border daily, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
“As needs continue to rise, we are grateful for Japan’s support and contribution, the first to support our Sudan crisis emergency operation," said Praveen Agrawal, WFP Representative and Country Director in Egypt.
"At a time when many families have lost everything, food assistance plays a vital role not only in safeguarding their food and nutrition security but also in providing a sense of normalcy, safety, and the assurance that they are not alone," Agrawal added.
This grant aligns with Japan's commitment to aiding those affected by the Sudanese crisis. Furthermore, Japan has established a fund to assist individuals who escape Sudan to neighbouring countries, including Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan.
The WFP is working closely with the Government of Egypt and the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) to provide assistance at the Arqeen and Qustol entry points on the Egyptian-Sudanese borders, the statement added.
It has, so far, dispatched over 20 metric tons of fortified emergency food assistance and 87,000 expanded food packages, including enhanced nutritional ready-to-eat items.
“This emergency humanitarian grant aid embodies the statement made by Prime Minister Kishida during his visit to Egypt in April that Japan is ready to provide emergency humanitarian assistance for displaced persons in the neighbouring countries of Sudan," said Oka Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt.
The Government of Japan intends to support Egypt’s efforts to protect displaced people and returnees through continued assistance in cooperation with international partners such as the WFP,” Hiroshi added.
In early May, the Egyptian foreign ministry announced that 164,000 Sudanese had entered Egypt through its southern borders.
At the same time, the Egyptian Red Crescent received 27 tons of relief supplies provided by the UN Development Programme and funded by the EU.
The UNHCR estimates that approximately 800,000 people may flee Sudan to neighbouring countries because of the ongoing crisis.
According to UN figures, the conflict in Sudan has displaced over 1.3 million.
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