Japan Contributes USD 1.25 Million to Support WFP Food Assistance for Displaced People in Cameroon

This Japan-supported project will support nearly 6,200 refugees in the Adamawa Region of eastern Cameroon and approximately 7,250 internally displaced people in the Far North Region, where insecurity, climate shocks and recurrent flooding continue to undermine livelihoods, disrupt food production and limit access to food for vulnerable families.

Through this contribution, WFP will provide three months of in-kind food assistance comprising rice, canned fish, vegetable oil and salt, enabling vulnerable households to meet their immediate food and nutrition needs and helping prevent the adoption of negative coping strategies.

"Hunger is often the first sign that families are running out of options," said Gianluca Ferrera, WFP Representative and Country Director in Cameroon. "Food assistance not only saves lives; it helps families protect their livelihoods, preserve their dignity and avoid harmful coping strategies. Japan's support comes at a critical time for thousands of vulnerable people."

Cameroon continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly 2.9 million people in need of assistance, including more than two million refugees, internally displaced people and returnees. Humanitarian needs are driven by insecurity, displacement in the Far North, and the protracted presence of refugees from the Central African Republic in Adamawa, East and North regions. Between January and June, WFP provided emergency food assistance to nearly 120,000 people across the country.

In the Far North, more than 120,000 Nigerian refugees and over half a million displaced Cameroonians continue to face the impacts of violence and climate-related shocks. Meanwhile, refugee-hosting areas in Adamawa remain under pressure as communities compete for limited socio-economic and natural resources.

"Every family deserves the opportunity to live with dignity and hope, even in times of crisis," said "Japan is pleased to support the Government of Cameroon and WFP in addressing the urgent food needs of refugees and internally displaced people. This contribution reflects Japan's commitment to human security and solidarity with vulnerable populations facing humanitarian challenges."

Despite this generous contribution, humanitarian needs continue to exceed available resources. Over the next six months, WFP requires an additional USD 43.2 million to sustain critical food assistance and nutrition programmes across Cameroon, representing a 93 percent funding gap against operational requirements from August 2026 to January 2027.

Without additional funding, WFP may be forced to further reduce the number of people receiving assistance, with the most vulnerable populations including children and pregnant and breastfeeding women at a great risk of hunger and malnutrition.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

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