Press Release on 16 July, 2009

Government of Japan extends a food grant Aid worth of 600 million yen (equivalent to 6 million US dollars) to UNRWA

1.    On July 14, 2009, the Government of Japan decided to extend a grant as Food Aid worth of 600 million yen (equivalent to 6 million US dollars) to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Notes to this effect were exchanged on Thursday, July 16, 2009 at the UNRWA Women’s Programme Center of Marka Camp between H.E. Mr. Tetsuo Shioguchi, Ambassador of Japan, and H.E. Ms. Karen Koning AbuZayd, Commissioner-General of UNRWA.

2.    Based on the above notes, a grant agreement which stipulates the terms and conditions of the grant as well as the procedures for its utilization was also concluded between Mr. Shigeru Okamoto, the Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Jordan Office and H.E. Ms. Karen Koning AbuZayd. JICA has been designated as implementing agency for part of Grant Aid which includes food aid programme through international organizations. JICA has supported Palestinian refugees continuously over many years through volunteer works and vocational training.

3.    Representing the Host countries for the Palestine refugees, Mr. Wajeeh Azayzeh, Director General of the Department of Palestinian Affairs attended the both signing ceremonies. The grant will be used for the purchase of wheat flour and pulses.

4.    Palestine refugees need international assistance more than ever, in the face of world financial crisis, economic sanction, restriction of movement, political division and stagnant peace process. Especially the situation of Palestine refugees in Gaza is a great concern. Currently, unemployment rate is 46% and 80% of Gazans are dependent on some form of aid. They suffer from scarcity of food, commodities and construction materials. To address this situation and mitigate the hardship of the refugees, Japan decided to implement this food aid as humanitarian assistance in response to the request of UNRWA.

5.    Japan’s assistance to the Palestinian refugees through UNRWA, which began in 1953, has amounted to more than 560 million US dollars including Food Aid. Assistance to the Palestine refugees through UNRWA has been one of the pillars of Japan’s peace efforts in the region. The Government of Japan will continue to support UNRWA’s activities in partnership with donor countries as well as host governments.