The Government of Japan and the United Nations World Food Programme, WFP have signed a grant agreement of approximately USD 1.25 million (JPY 200 million), equivalent to FCFA 708 million, in support of humanitarian food assistance and school meals for vulnerable populations in Cameroon.
WFP Country Director & Japanese Ambassador displaying signed agreement in company of Gov’t officials
The official signing ceremony took place in Yaounde on August 12, 2026. The grant agreement was endorsed for WFP Cameroon by its Representative and Country Director, Gianluca Ferrera and for Japan by its Ambassador to Cameroon, H.E. Minami Kentaro.
The government of Cameroon was represented at the event by the Inspector General in MINEPAT, Mbamband Jael Cristine.
Speaking on the occasion, Gianluca said the presence of the Japanese Ambassador is a reflection of their shared commitment to solidarity, partnership, and support for the most vulnerable people for food security in Cameroon.
Stating that the ceremony was aimed at formalising Japan’s contribution in support of WFP’s humanitarian operations in Cameroon, Gianluca said FCFA 708 million will help them provide life-saving food assistance to over 13 400 vulnerable people in the Adamawa and Far North Regions.
He expressed WFP’s profound gratitude to Japan for their generous contribution as a dependable partner as well as their longstanding partnership with Cameroon.
“Japan’s support comes at a particularly critical time. Cameroon continues to face one of the most complex and underfunded humanitarian emergencies in the world, with approximately two million people displaced, including refugees from Nigeria and Central African Republic.
“Food and nutrition insecurity remains a major challenge; not only for the displaced people but also for vulnerable host populations, who continue to face mounting insecurity and socio-economic pressures that affect their ability to put nutritious food on their tables,” Gianluca stated.
He said Japan’s support is more than a financial contribution as it is a strong expression of solidarity with vulnerable women, men, and children whose access to food remains uncertain. “It is a powerful demonstration of Japan’s dependable commitment to humanitarian values and international cooperation. The partnership between the governments of Cameroon, Japan and WFP illustrates how collective action can generate meaningful impact for vulnerable communities,” the WFP Country Director declared.
H.E. Minami said their support which has now become a regular rendezvous, reflect the strong bilateral relations between Cameroon and Japan. He remarked that the worsening security situation in Cameroon triggered by the conflict around the Lake Chad Basin, armed confrontations in the Northwest and Southwest, the influx of refugees from neighbouring countries coupled with the negative effects of climate change weighs down on the means of subsistence of the population thereby increasing the fragility of the food system. He said in such a context, it is therefore urgent for concrete measures to be taken in matters of food security.
“It is to respond to these major challenges that the government of Japan decided to provide this non-refundable food aid of FCFA 708 million. This assistance specifically gears at improving food security and the state of nutrition in Cameroon through the intermediary of WFP.
“Each family deserves to live in dignity and hope, even during crises. Japan is therefore happy to provide its support to the Cameroonian government and to WFP to respond to urgent food needs of refugees and IDPs,” H.E. Minami maintained.
The contribution will enable WFP to assist approximately 13 430 refugees, internally displaced persons, returnees, vulnerable host community members and school children in the Far North and Adamawa Regions, affected by conflict, food insecurity and climate-related shocks. Of that figure, 6 198 are refugees based in the Adamawa and 7 232 are IDPs found in the Far North Region.
The event was an occasion to highlight the strong partnership between the Government of Japan and WFP in supporting vulnerable communities and advancing food security in Cameroon.
By Nformi Sonde Kinsai