The Government of Japan has donated 3,294 metric tons of assorted rice to Liberia, valued at over 300 million Japanese yen, or approximately US$1.5 million. This donation, part of the Japanese KR Food Aid program, aims to support Liberia’s socio-economic development through monetization.
At the official handover ceremony on June 18, held at the C. Cecil Dennis Auditorium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Ambassador to Liberia, Mochizuki Hisanobou, emphasized the strong and enduring relationship between Japan and Liberia. “Liberia and Japan share a wonderful relationship of mutual support and respect,” he said.
Ambassador Hisanobou highlighted the Japan Food Assistance program as a sustainable means of generating revenue through the Counterpart Value Fund, which supports Liberia’s developmental initiatives and addresses critical challenges affecting the livelihood and dignity of its people. He stated, “The Japan Food Assistance program has been one of the sustainable means of raising revenue to tackle the Government of Liberia’s pro-poor developmental initiatives.”
Reflecting on the bilateral agreement signed in 2008 to address food security, Ambassador Hisanobou noted, “Since then, the Government of Japan has been providing rice to Liberia through the Kennedy Round (KR) Food Assistance to be sold at a minimal cost to alleviate hunger.” He added, “Today, Japan takes another step to strengthen our bilateral friendship and cooperation.”
He further emphasized the importance of the Food Assistance program in promoting human security, allowing individuals to live happily and in dignity, free from fear and want. “Japan will continue to provide technical assistance, support capacity building, technology, and infrastructure development, as well as aid farmers in rice production. Through joint efforts and collaboration, we can address food insecurity in Liberia,” he affirmed.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Gabriel H. Salee expressed gratitude for Japan’s consistent support, stating, “Today, we mark history in the relationship between Japan and Liberia. Japan has supported us in many areas, including human resource capacity building, infrastructure development, and social economy.” He acknowledged Japan’s contributions to constructing market facilities like Duala Market and Goba Chop Market and assured that the rice donation would be used effectively to benefit Liberia’s development.
Steve Flahn-Paye, head of the JCVF Secretariat, provided background on the KR Food Aid program, which began in 2008 following a global food price spike. He noted, “The former President, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, approached Japan to benefit from the KR Food Aid program. We monetized the commodity grant, deposited the money in an escrow account, developed project proposals, and obtained approval based on the projects’ social and economic impact and our economy’s viability.” He highlighted various projects funded by the Japanese Counterpart Value Fund, including road construction, housing units, market buildings, and bridges. “The government of Liberia remains very grateful to the Government and People of Japan for their
