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Add to Preferred SourcesThe Japanese Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine, Mr. Takeshi Okubo, and UNRWA Commissioner-General, Mr. Pierre Krähenbühl, signed an agreement for a JPY 600 million, approximately US$ 5.4 million, contribution from Japan to support the Agency’s Gaza food assistance programme for the seventh consecutive year.
Food insecurity remains a critical issue in Gaza, and many Palestine refugee families face difficulties in meeting their minimum food needs. This generous contribution by Japan will benefit nearly 100,000 Palestine refugees in Gaza during 2018-2019 who will receive basic supplies such as wheat flour, beans and sunflower oil.
Commissioner-General Krähenbühl welcomed the important additional contribution: “We are truly grateful for Japan’s continued partnership and its solidarity towards Palestine refugees. 2018 is seeing very remarkable engagement from Japan, which we highly value. This support will help ensure that UNRWA continues providing critical food assistance to the most vulnerable Palestine refugees in Gaza.”
Takeshi Okubo, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine, reiterated the commitment of Japan to supporting UNRWA. He said: “Japan has provided this assistance at a time when UNRWA suffers from financial crisis and Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian crisis. Also, this assistance has come as a part of the commitment Japanese Prime Minister Mr. Abe expressed to supporting UNRWA when he visited Palestine on 1 May of this year. We are determined more than ever to send a message to Palestine refugees through the assistance that “You are not alone; the international community will be there with you”.
Japan continues to be a reliable and consistent supporter of UNRWA; in 2017, Japan contributed US$ 43.3 million and was among the top seven donors. The new donation follows a US$ 10 million contribution in May 2018 which allows the Agency’s emergency operations in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
Original source: UNRWA
Published on 5 September 2018