Government of Japan commits USD 7,609,777 for sustainable development and humanitarian response in Mozambique

MAPUTO, Mozambique - The Government of Japan today announced its commitment of USD 7,609,777 in funding to support Mozambique on its path to sustainable development, and reinforce the humanitarian response to the complex crisis in the north of the country. Under the leadership of the Government of Mozambique, and with coordination from key national institutions, Japan’s support will be implemented through five UN Entities.

The announcement was made during an official ceremony held today in Maputo, attended by representatives of the Government of Mozambique, including the Food and Nutrition Security Technical Secretariat (SETSAN), National Institute for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (INGD) and National Institute for Social Action (INAS).; the Ambassador of Japan in Mozambique, His Excellency Mr Kimura Hajime; and Representatives of the United Nations (RCO), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan, Mr KIMURA Hajime, said: "Mozambique has been facing severe challenges, such as the difficulties of the security situation in the North. The Government of Japan strongly wishes to support people who are in vulnerable situations, regardless of gender and age, as a good partner of the government of Mozambique. We, the people of Japan, hope that the extended grant aid of $7,609,777 (seven million, six hundred, nine thousand, seven hundred, and seventy-seven US dollars) will be a part of contributions to see a bright future for conflicted-affected people in the North, especially Cabo Delgado, through a strong partnership with the UN. It is our great pleasure to walk with the people of Mozambique and our partners towards a better tomorrow.

"People with disabilities, the elderly, women and girls, men and boys will benefit from the continuity of health services, job creation and access to community protection thanks to Japan's timely contribution; I thank the Government of Japan for its generous contribution to a better future for all", said UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Mozambique, Myrta Kaulard.

Pierre Lucas, World Food Programme (WFP) Deputy Country Director, underlined that "In recent years, the Government of Japan has been a staunch supporter of the humanitarian response in Mozambique. Japan's generous additional support is more timely than ever, allowing WFP to continue to provide a vital lifeline to conflict-affected populations in northern Mozambique, as well as refugees in the Maratane settlement."

Dr Marie Laetitia Kayisire - UN Women Representative noted the importance of Japan’s focus on placing gender considerations front and centre within the response. "I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Government of Japan for placing gender equality at the centre of its international development support efforts. Your longstanding support and contributions to UN Women projects, globally and in Mozambique, are driving positive change for the most vulnerable women and adolescent girls. Japan’s strong political and financial commitments to the New Approach to Peace and Stability in Africa (NAPSA), articulated at TICAD7, enable UN Women and partners to effectively promote the full and effective participation of adolescent girls and young women in humanitarian action", noted Dr Kayisire.

“Once again, the Government and people of Japan have shown great generosity and empathy towards the plight of displaced people. I would like to express sincere appreciation, both personally and on behalf of UNHCR for the well-needed funding which will allow us to provide urgent assistance and protection interventions to displaced and host communities” says Mr Samuel Chakwera UNHCR Representative.

Paul Gomis, UNESCO Mozambique Representative said, "The Government of Japan is a long-standing partner of the Government of Mozambique and UNESCO and the UN. Within the framework of the Government's five-year Development Plan (PQG), the TICAD8[1] and the SDGs[2], this project provides additional support to education in emergency, life skills for youths and dialogue for peace and reconciliation in the province of Cabo Delgado".

Maria Luisa Fornara, UNICEF Representative to Mozambique, highlighted the positive outcomes that Japan’s funding will drive for children in Mozambique. "We are very happy with this generous support from the Government of Japan, which will allow children, adolescents, and caregivers in Cabo Delgado and Nampula to survive and thrive, and live in a protective and stable environment in a child-friendly and resilient community. 31,200 girls and 28,800 boys will benefit from crucial health, food, and nutrition support", she remarked.

The Government of Japan is a long-standing partner of the United Nations and International Organisations in Mozambique. "We will continue to support Mozambique's fight against insecurity and pandemic, as well as promote responsible business conduct. Japan is always on your side," concluded H.E. the Ambassador of Japan, Mr Kimura Hajime.

NOTE TO EDITORS

Funding for UN Women
UN Women is the United Nations organization that develops programmes, policies and standards that uphold women's human rights and ensure that all women and girls live up to their full potential. The support received from the Government of Japan (1,040,000) will enable UN Women to assist 1,500 young women and young men (aged 15-24) with e-voucher-based humanitarian assistance to address their immediate food needs and dignity kits, access digital and employability skills to take advantage of employment opportunities and reduce radicalization among youth, further strengthening the humanity-development nexus in Chiúre and Ancuabe.

Funding for WFP
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organisation, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a path to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disaster, and the impact of climate change. This new support from the Government of Japan will enable WFP to cover the immediate food and nutritional needs of conflict-affected populations in northern Mozambique, and refugees in the settlement of Maratane, Nampula province. Japan's US$1.8 million contribution comes at a critical time, as internal displacement continues to increase, while food security trends remain deeply concerning. Through Japan's support, WFP will be able to reach over 99,000 affected people with emergency food and nutrition assistance. Follow us on Twitter @WFP, @WFP_Mozambique and @WFP_Media.

Funding for UNHCR
UNHCR has been providing protection and basic assistance to refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs and affected host communities in northern Mozambique for many years. As the lead agency coordinating the Protection Cluster in Mozambique, and a key member of the Camp and Shelter Coordination and Management Clusters (CCCM), UNHCR aims to integrate protection and support for a concerted and coordinated response in finding sustainable solutions for displaced persons while meeting their emergency needs during displacement. Through the generous funding received by the Government of Japan, UNHCR will work closely with the Government and Mozambican partners to ensure that site management activities include community-based protection interventions in northern Mozambique. Funding from Japan will help meet the urgent assistance and protection needs of displaced and host communities through the following key objectives: Strengthening site management, coordination and community participation; providing access to sustainable and resilient shelter for refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs; supporting vulnerable refugees, asylum seekers and IDPs with the provision of essential relief items (e.g. blankets, sleeping mats, mosquito nets); and the identification and referral to case management systems of survivors and people at risk of gender-based violence and persons with disabilities.

Funding for UNICEF
Support from the Government of Japan will enable a child-focused response to health and nutrition humanitarian needs in Cabo Delgado and Nampula. The partnership will promote protection, empowerment and solidarity in contributing to leaving no child behind, with a focus on stronger primary healthcare towards universal health coverage, by strengthening trusted health and community systems to prevent diseases and promote good health while ensuring food/nutrition security, considering a context of public health emergency outbreaks, including COVID-19. The partnership contributes to enhancing human security by overcoming vulnerabilities of the administrative system in the health sector and promoting positive societal practices to address root causes of inequality in accessing essential and life-saving nutrition and health services.

Funding for UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting sustainable peace for development through education, sciences, culture and communications and information. This support from the Government of Japan will allow UNESCO Maputo and the two partners to enhance their contribution to the strategy of the Government of Mozambique to promote youth and women empowerment and promotion of human rights and peace in the conflict affected province of Cabo Delgado. Building on other ongoing initiatives, the project targets more than 15,000 young boys and girls and young women in the districts of Metuge and Ancuabe with specific focus on access to quality education services, peace dialogue and development of economic opportunities and life skills through and inclusive and participative approach.