Mbabane – The Governments of Japan and Eswatini have officially signed a major food aid grant agreement aimed at supporting orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) across the Kingdom of Eswatini. The signing ceremony, held at the United Nations offices in Mbabane, marked a deepening of bilateral cooperation and a significant step toward food security for the country’s most at-risk populations.
The Government of Japan, through its ongoing partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), has contributed JPY 200 million (approximately SZL 25 million or USD 1.3 million) to provide daily hot meals to about 27,500 vulnerable children aged 2 to 6 years. The meals will be distributed through Neighbourhood Care Points (NCPs) in all four regions of the country.
Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Hon. Dr. Tambo Gina, expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the Kingdom of Eswatini, describing the support as timely and aligned with the country’s National Development Plan (2023/24–2027/28). He emphasized that about 20% of the population is currently experiencing acute food insecurity, highlighting the urgency of the intervention.
“This aid arrives at a crucial time,” Dr. Gina said. “It is a testament to the enduring friendship between our nations and reflects Japan’s unwavering commitment to development cooperation, especially in areas of food security, education, and health.”The grant will directly address SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and is part of Eswatini’s broader strategy to strengthen social protection systems. Dr. Gina also applauded Japan for its technical support in other areas, including the construction of secondary schools across the country under one of the nation’s largest education infrastructure projects.
WFP’s Country Director a.i., Mr. Ashraful Amin, highlighted that this contribution goes beyond immediate nutrition. “This grant is not simply feeding children; it is investing in human capital, in the future stability and resilience of Eswatini,” he said. He further emphasized how the programme aligns with the WFP’s Country Strategic Plan and Eswatini’s NCP Strategy (2023–2027), providing a comprehensive safety net for children affected by poverty, HIV, and the climate crisis.
Japan’s Ambassador to Eswatini, H.E. Shimizu Fumio, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting African nations through the principles of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), which prioritizes human development and disaster-resilient societies.
Both governments and WFP assured the public that robust monitoring systems are in place to ensure that the aid reaches its intended recipients and that the integrity of Japan’s contribution is safeguarded.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, UN representatives, and civil society partners underscoring the collaborative spirit behind the initiative.
“No child should go hungry,” said Mr. Amin. “And today’s agreement reaffirms our collective commitment to making hunger a thing of the past.
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