Signing Ceremony for Food Aid by the Government of Japan

 

On Monday, 1 March 2021, H.E. Mr. HARADA Hideaki, Ambassador of Japan, and Hon. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, signed a grant agreement for Food Aid by the Government of Japan.

The Government of Japan has decided to provide Food Aid worth around 42 million Namibian Dollars in support of the Namibian Government’s efforts for tackling difficulties caused by the significant drought (2016-2019) and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 In addition to this emergency Food Aid, Japan has started implementing a technical cooperation project in the northern regions, which aims to increase food production and to improve livelihood of small-scale farmers through diversification of agricultural & farm products, to provide skill training and to facilitate farmers’ access to markets. During the ceremony, Ambassador Harada emphasized that the motto of the Japan’s policy toward Africa is “Respect Africa’s ownership, support in the spirit of partnership.”

Hon. Nandi–Ndaitwah extended sincere gratitude to this cooperation as well as to the long-lasting partnership between Japan and Namibia. ‘Japan is among the countries that continue to be with us in difficult situations, be it drought and health pandemic. Therefore, assistance offered, has definitely made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of many Namibians’ she said.