The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has received a contribution of JPY 400 million (approximately US$2.7 million) from the Government of Japan to support school meal programs in Sudan. This crucial funding will help WFP provide nutritious meals to children, encouraging school attendance and improving learning outcomes at a time when schools are reopening amid ongoing conflict.
WFP Sudan Country Director and Representative Laurent Bukera expressed deep appreciation to Japan for its timely and generous support, emphasizing that school meals play a vital role in helping vulnerable children resume their education and succeed academically. He also acknowledged the strong solidarity Japan continues to show toward the people of Sudan, especially during the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Mr. Mizuuchi Kentaro, Chargé d’Affaires of Japan to Sudan, highlighted the devastating impact of the protracted war on children’s education, noting that many are being deprived of their basic right to learn. He expressed hope that through the WFP–Japan partnership, school meals would help address this challenge by providing children with both nutrition and access to education, paving the way for a brighter future for Sudan.
Japan’s latest contribution brings its total support to WFP’s operations in Sudan to US$21 million since 2022, underscoring its long-term commitment to humanitarian efforts and to the wellbeing of Sudanese communities. The new funding covers around 13 percent of WFP’s needs to sustain school meal programs over the next six months. However, WFP still faces a shortfall of US$14.8 million to continue these programs from October 2025 to March 2026.
Sudan is currently experiencing the world’s largest hunger crisis, with an estimated 25 million people facing acute food insecurity and over 638,000 in catastrophic conditions. As fighting eases in some southern and central regions, investing in education and early recovery initiatives like school feeding programs has become essential to restoring stability and hope for the nation’s children and communities.
