UNICEF Welcomes Japanese US$3,138,950 Contribution to Support Children in Palestine – UNICEF Press Release

Nearly 130,000 children will be reached in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank

RAMALLAH, 3 April 2017 – The Government of Japan has donated USD $3,138,950 in support of UNICEF’s humanitarian response focusing on life-saving and other interventions addressing urgent needs and rights of Palestinian children. This new grant will enable the United Nations Children’s Fund and its partners to implement interventions for nearly 130,000 children and 25,000 caregivers in the critical areas of education, water and sanitation, protection, health and nutrition across the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

“The Government of Japan is pleased to continue the partnership with UNICEF, which focuses on achieving results in protecting children and improving their living conditions in Palestine through providing necessary cares and increasing their access to the basic services,” said H.E. Takeshi Okubo, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to the Palestinian Authority. “Japan has committed to providing a new package of assistance to the Palestinians in 2017 amounting to USD 46,688,925mainly through international organizations including UNICEF, which is one of the Japan’s most trusted and respected partners.”

Japan’s financial support will provide opportunities to strengthen Palestinian children’s resilience and support an integrated, multi-sector response.

“The Government and the people of Japan are deeply committed to improving the lives of the most vulnerable Palestinian children,” said June Kunugi, UNICEF State of Palestine’s Special Representative. “We are deeply grateful for Japan’s enduring commitment and generous support which will not only provide humanitarian relief, but also be linked with support to increasing resilience and system-building benefiting Palestinian children and their communities over the long term.”

The grant will be used to support interventions including the refurbishing and provision of new equipment to two neonatal units (one in West Bank and one in the Gaza Strip); helping children access safe drinking water and adequate sanitation services while strengthening national water information management systems; providing children with psycho-social support, as well as legal support in the West Bank including East Jerusalem; and improving the employability skills of adolescents in most affected areas through entrepreneurial skills programmes.

Japan has continued to generously support Palestinians since 1993 and has provided UNICEF with nearly USD 73 million for its work with Palestinian children during this time period, including grants for emergency relief work during rounds of armed conflict. Japan is among UNICEF’s top five government donors globally.

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For further information, please contact:
Catherine Weibel, Chief of Communication, UNICEF State of Palestine:
Mobile: +972 54 778 7604, e-mail: cweibel@unicef.org
AsmaIbrahim, Representative Office of Japan to the P.A. – Tel: 02-241-3120 – asma@rm.mofa.go.jp