Amman, Oct. 2 (Petra) – Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Asari Hideki highlighted his country’s strong partnership with the World Food Program (WFP), praising Jordan’s exceptional role in hosting Syrian refugees for more than a decade.

During a visit Thursday to Azraq refugee camp, the envoy reviewed Japan-supported WFP projects, including monthly cash assistance and the National School Feeding Program.

His tour included a WFP-contracted supermarket where refugees use cash transfers to buy food, as well as a meeting with a beneficiary family and a women-run production kitchen that prepares school meals for Jordanian and refugee students.

"Jordan has demonstrated exceptional generosity in hosting Syrian refugees for more than a decade. Japan reiterates its commitment to supporting Jordan’s efforts in addressing the socio-economic vulnerabilities of Jordanians and Syrian refugees through supporting WFP cash assistance and the National School Feeding Program," Asari said.

"We are grateful to the Government and the people of Japan," said WFP Representative and Country Director in Jordan Antonella D’Aprile. "Asari’s visit underscores Japan’s commitment to supporting vulnerable refugee families and its valued partnership with WFP that helps us continue to address food insecurity at a time when funding gaps limit our ability to provide support to those who rely on it." According to WFP, Japan’s contribution this year enabled one month of cash assistance for more than 38,000 refugees, nutrition awareness sessions for 400 pregnant and nursing women and their children, and school meals for about 90,000 Jordanian and refugee students.

WFP, supported by donors, provides monthly cash transfers to around 248,000 refugees in Jordan, mostly Syrians, and covers school meals for 475,000 vulnerable children nationwide.

However, the program said a funding gap since July 2023 forced a cut in monthly refugee cash aid from JD23 to JD15 per person.

//Petra// AO