Okinawa Prefecture has the highest child poverty rate in the nation (+30%). At the same time there is virtually no place for those households in need to access food assistance in an emergency. Prefectural government is concerned about this situation, but even their proposed plan will reach less than 3% of those children in need. And the "assistance" that will be provided is the equivalent of two meals a month. Their hands are tied at the moment. However, we can make a difference.
A food safety-net does not exist in Okinawa. 30% of children in the prefecture live below the poverty line. The prefecture has been hard hit by COVID-19 because of its reliance on tourism. There is virtually no place a household in need can access food assistance.
We are working with stakeholders from all fields to create and develop a food safety-net so that anyone in need has access to food assistance.
Households in need can access food assistance in an emergency. The savings to households can be put back into the economy thus helping the larger community.
