The Japanese Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine, Mr. Takeshi Okubo, and Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Mr. Pierre Krähenbühl, attended a signing ceremony for two Japanese contributions, namely the Solar Panel Project in Gaza worth US$ 4.4 million and a Japanese staff secondment to the UNRWA External Relations Department.
The Commissioner-General expressed gratitude to the Government of Japan for its long-term support of Palestine refugees. The addition of solar panels to health centres across Gaza will provide a renewable energy source. Further, this contribution will enable the Agency to decrease its fuel consumption costs by some US$ 500,000 per year.
In addition to the important innovation and efficiencies introduced by the solar panel contribution, the Agency appreciates the secondment of a Japanese staff member to the UNRWA Department of External Relations and Communications (or…the External Relations Division). As the Agency recovers from the most severe budget deficit in its history, confidence in UNRWA staff capabilities will allow for advances to be made in fundraising and donor relations.
Commissioner-General Krähenbühl praised this innovative contribution: “We deeply appreciate the generosity and steadfast support of the Government of Japan to UNRWA and the Palestine refugee community. These solar panels not only move the Agency in the direction of sustainable energy practices but also allow for vital savings at a time that UNRWA needs it most. Your Excellency, Mr. Okubo, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your strong support to Gaza, and the millions of Palestine refugees your contribution will benefit.”
Ambassador Okubo highlighted the importance of the Agency’s services in Gaza and noted: “Japan has been and will be a strong supporter to UNRWA as it provides invaluable health, relief and educational assistance to Palestine refugees in Gaza and beyond, thereby contributing to the stabilization of the entire region. This support reflects the confidence of Prime Minister Abe. We continue to support Palestine refugees together with our fellow nations.”
He also added that CEAPAD (Conference on the cooperation among East Asian countries for Palestinian Development.) mechanism driven by the Japanese initiative will further contribute to diversifying the financial base for UNRWA.
Japan has long been a valued donor to UNRWA. In 2017, the Government of Japan contributed a total of US$ 43.3 million, including some US$ 23 million to the Agency’s core programmes and services. Japan was among the top seven donors and, since 1973, has been a member of the UNRWA Advisory Commission, which advises and assists the UNRWA Commissioner-General in carrying out the Agency’s mandate.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
UNRWA is confronted with an increased demand for services resulting from a growth in the number of registered Palestine refugees, the extent of their vulnerability and their deepening poverty. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions and financial support has been outpaced by the growth it needs. As a result, the UNRWA programme budget, which supports the delivery of core essential services, operates with a large shortfall. UNRWA encourages all Member States to work collectively to exert all possible efforts to fully fund the Agency’s programme budget. UNRWA emergency programmes and key projects, also operating with large shortfalls, are funded through separate funding portals.
UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and mandated to provide assistance and protection to some 5.4 million Palestine refugees registered with UNRWA across its five fields of operation. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip achieve their full human development potential, pending a just and lasting solution to their plight. UNRWA services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, protection and microfinance.
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Document Sources: State, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)
Country: Japan
Subject: Assistance, Economic issues, Gaza Strip, Health, Humanitarian relief, Refugees and displaced persons
Publication Date: 22/11/2018
URL source: https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/japan-provides-us-44-million-renewable-energy-support-unrwa-health-centres