The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a US$1 million contribution from the Government of Japan to deliver emergency food assistance to 18,000 people in Burundi affected by extreme weather events. A ceremony in Bujumbura marked the announcement, attended by senior government and diplomatic officials, including Burundi’s Permanent Secretary for Social Affairs and Japan’s Ambassador to Burundi.
Burundi has faced worsening food insecurity due to frequent floods and droughts, especially in rural communities where over 85% of the population depends on subsistence farming. WFP Country Director Jean-Noël Gentile noted that the support from Japan would help address the daily food needs of the most vulnerable as they work to recover their livelihoods.
Between September 2023 and June 2024, heavy rains triggered floods and landslides in Bujumbura and Burunga Provinces, affecting over 300,000 people and displacing more than 47,000. At the same time, Butanyerera Province experienced drought conditions due to poor rainfall, resulting in significant crop and income losses among smallholder farmers.
Ambassador Isao Fukushima highlighted Japan’s ongoing commitment to Burundi under the philosophy of Human Security. He expressed hope that the collaboration with WFP would help many Burundians live more dignified lives. Since 2010, Japan and WFP have partnered on eight projects in Burundi, with Japan contributing over US$12 million since 2019.
The WFP remains the world’s largest humanitarian agency, providing emergency food aid and supporting long-term recovery efforts in communities affected by conflict, disaster, and climate change.
