“Tackling Malnutrition in Burundi: in need to act urgently” Kick-off Ceremony
On August 8, H.E. Mr. Takayuki Miyashita, Ambassador of Japan to Burundi, together with Ms. Virginia Villar Arribas, Representative of WFP Burundi, and Mr. Nzorironkankuze Jean Baptiste, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against HIV/AIDS, attended the kick-off ceremony of the WFP project for “Tackling Malnutrition in Burundi: in need to act urgently” under Japan's supplementary budget FY2018 (Grant amount: 1 million USD). This project will help vulnerable people in Burundi improve nutrition status.
Ambassador Miyashita’s speech
Ms. Arribas, WFP Burundi Representative said, “Thanks to Japan’s grant assistance, we can provide food aid to pregnant women and children under 2 years old in Kirundi where food shortage is serious. This is the second time this year that the WFP has provided food aid to Burundi under the Japanese government grant. We have provided fish cans as school meals not only to satisfy the stomach of children but also to improve the school enrollment rate. I would like to express my deep appreciation for Japan's continued support”.
Ambassador Miyashita said, “In Burundi, we have had cooperative relationship with WFP for more than 10 years, and this is the second project this year, following the FY2018 Grant Aid “Food Assistance (WFP Cooperation)” signed in February. There are many people in Burundi who are in difficult situations, and those who are in such a weak position, need special support. Nutrition-enriched foods will be distributed mainly to children and women in Kirundi where many people are in difficult circumstances.
Mr. Nzorironkankuze Jean Baptiste, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against HIV/AIDS, said “I am honored to be able to participate in the kick-off ceremony of the Japanese government's support for nutritional improvement in Burundi. On behalf of the Burundi government, I would like to express my deep appreciation for Japan’s assistance which contributes to food security in Burundi. Improving the nutrition status is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Health, and Japan's contribution has great implications for the development of Burundi.”
Ambassador Miyashita provided specialized nutritious foods