The Government of Japan contributed $38.21 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

This donation marks the largest ever one-time contribution from Japan to UNRWA. Of the total contribution, $15 million will support the Agency’s health and education services and emergency humanitarian assistance efforts in the Gaza Strip; $20.87 million will go towards improving and expanding the capacity of the Agency’s education and health programmes in the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria; and $2.34 million will support the construction of a sewerage network in Aqbat Jabr refugee camp in the West Bank.

The network will be connected to the Jericho wastewater treatment plant constructed by Japanese Grant Aid and supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).  The construction of a sewerage network will also be done in collaboration with JICA.

“This support will go a long way in providing for the education and health needs of Palestinian refugees throughout the region and ensuring that refugees in Gaza will have the food, shelter and employment opportunities they need to endure the challenges stemming from repeated conflict, chronic poverty and a crippling blockade,” said UNRWA Deputy Commissioner-General Sandra Mitchell.

“We are deeply grateful to Japan, not only for this generous contribution, but also for their long-standing friendship with UNRWA. For decades, this dynamic and steadfast partnership has been critical in improving the living conditions and prospects of Palestinian refugees.”

Takeshi Okubo, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to the PA said, “Assistance to Palestinian refugees through UNRWA has always been one of the pillars of the Japan’s peace efforts in the region.”

“Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria still need robust support from the international community, especially in Gaza and Syria in light of the severe socioeconomic conditions facing them. Therefore, the Government of Japan is determined to continue its assistance to Palestinian refugees through UNRWA.”

He added, “Japan has recently decided to provide the new package of assistance amounting to $78.2 million to the Palestinians, including the above-mentioned assistance through UNRWA as was announced during the visit of President Abbas to Japan this month. With this new assistance, the total value of Japanese assistance extended to the Palestinian people exceeds $1.7 billion since 1993.”

The contribution was confirmed earlier today in an agreement jointly signed by Ambassador Okubo and Mitchell at the Agency’s Qalandia training center in Ramallah.

(WAFA)