Japan Hands Over $ 4.2 million for UNRWA’s Regular Food aid Programme – UNRWA press release

Japan Hands Over $ 4.2 million

for UNRWA's Regular Food aid Programme

Amman – In a ceremony at the Japanese Embassy, Amman, the Government of Japan this week (17.3.06) signed an agreement to hand over JPY 500 million (USD 4.2 million) as their contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) Regular Food Aid Programme.

The funds will be used to purchase pulses for the Agency’s five fields of operation, Lebanon, the Syrian Arab Republic, Jordan, the West Bank and Gaza, and wheat flour for the West Bank and Gaza, for distribution throughout 2006 and 2007. Mr. Matahito Yamaachi, Charge d’Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan in Jordan said “The Government of Japan is pleased to make this significant contribution to Palestine refugees, especially at this time of urgent humanitarian need.”

UNRWA’s Regular Food Aid Programme provides support for the most vulnerable refugees in the form of food aid and food cash subsidy. The programme is valued at US$ 24 million for 2006 for the food component (including transport and distribution costs) and US$ 9 million for the cash assistance. The objective is to contribute to the food security of an estimated 237,344 Special Hardship Cases (SHCs) and 100,000 Pregnant and Nursing Mothers (PNM) who benefit from the Supplementary Feeding Programme.

The Japanese Government’s contributions to UNRWA’s General Fund, Emergency Appeals and other projects in the past year amount to $30.1 million.

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For more information please contact:

Jerusalem: Gina Benevento

Office: 972-2-589-0249

Mobile: 972-59-428-008

Gaza: Adnan abu Hasna

Office: +972-8-677-7531

Mobile: +972-59-428-61

Sami Mshasha

Office: 972-2-589-0408

Mobile: 972-54-216-8259