Palestine refugees – Japan contribution to UNRWA – Press release

JAPAN ANNOUNCES CONTRIBUTION OF $2 MIILION TO HELP UNRWA

MOVE HEADQUARTERS FROM VIENNA TO GAZA

Brings Total Contributions to Finance Move to Over $4 Million

VIENNA, 20 June (UNRWA) — Japan announced yesterday a contribution of $2 million to assist the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) move its headquarters from Vienna to its area of operations.

The Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations Office in Vienna, Ambassador Nobutoshi Akao, called yesterday on UNRWA CommissionerGeneral Ilter Turkmen to inform him officially of the voluntary contribution, which will assist in the implementation of the initial phase of the transfer.

A total of $1.4 million of the contribution is to be used for the construction of the office premises in Gaza, with the balance of $600,000 to be allocated for the construction of additional premises at UNRWA's headquarters in Amman.

This latest contribution by Japan comes a few days after the United States confirmed a voluntary contribution of $1 million towards the cost of relocating the Agency's headquarters to the region. Earlier this year, the United Kingdom pledged $1 million at UNRWA's meeting of major donors and host governments which was held in Amman, and Belgium pledged an additional $30,000 to finance the cost of the move. Previously, Turkey had contributed $25,000 and Portugal, $15,000 for the same purpose.

The total contributions received so far by the Agency to cover the cost of relocating its headquarters from Vienna to Gaza amount to a little over $4 million, while the total cost of the move is estimated at $13.5 million.

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