Japan pledges its support to IOM on the emergency assistance to populations displaced by natural hazards in Burundi.

The Government of Japan announced its support to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) program in emergency humanitarian and protection assistance to flood-affected populations with the amount of USD 1.4 million.

The situation around displaced populations in Burundi further deteriorated due to the torrential rain, flooding, and landslides in the 2023 spring season, resulting in significant forced displacement, thus, the financial support from the people of Japan to IOM was swiftly approved by the Japanese Diet to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of people, including for shelter and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH).

“IOM is grateful to the Government of Japan for its long-standing support to populations affected by natural hazards in Burundi. Climate hazards have affected 588,053 persons and displaced 134,351 in the country since 2018. This generous support from the People of Japan is critical to responding to the acute needs of affected populations facing the compounded impacts of heavy rain and flood, and the ongoing food and energy crisis. This funding will enable IOM, in collaboration with Japanese non-government organization Terra Renaissance, to provide much-needed emergency assistance to individuals and communities with exacerbated vulnerabilities, and to address challenges related to climate-induced displacement,” says Vijaya Souri, Chief of Mission of IOM in Burundi.

The Embassy of Japan expresses its great pleasure to contribute to addressing the urgent needs of those displaced people through our support to IOM. Japan’s assistance is underpinned by the concept of “Human Security in the new era” which is articulated in the Development Cooperation Charter of Japan, highlighting in particular” Human-centered cooperation” and “Solidarity”.

In this regard, we believe that the collaboration with IOM to address the needs of those vulnerable populations embodies the concept of Solidarity. Japan is highly grateful for the initiatives made by the Government of Burundi and IOM to cope with the challenges, and Japan remains committed to supporting such initiatives.