Amman, 28 March, 2011

Japanese Ambassador signs a Grant Contract of US$ 49,262
The Project for Expansion of Kindergarten in the Gaza Palestinian Refugee Camp

The Government of Japan has decided to extend a US$49,262 grant in aid to “Community Development Office- Gaza Camp”. A contract to that effect was signed on March 28, 2011 between H. E. Mr. Tetsuo Shioguchi, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan and Ms. Donia Aqel, Project Coordinator, Community Development Office-Gaza Camp.

This grant is provided within the framework of Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects. Japan has donated approximately US$ 8 million for 126 projects to non-governmental organizations, schools, hospitals and local governments in Jordan in the past 17 years.

The total amount of Japanese economic cooperation, which has been extended to the Jordanian people in the past decades, exceeds US$ 3 billion, which is more than JD2 billion.

Japan’s assistance to the Palestinian refugees through UNRWA, which began in 1953, exceeds US$ 600 million. The Government of Japan will continue to support UNRWA’s activities in partnership with donor countries as well as host governments

Last January, H. E. Mr. Tetsuo Shioguchi, Ambassador of Japan to Jordan and Mr. Filippo Grandi, UNRWA Commissioner-General exchanged a Grant Note for a US$ 10 million grant.

Since 1993, more than twenty projects have been implemented through Grass Roots Grant Aid to mitigate the harsh living conditions of the refugee camps.

Recent Projects

1. The Project for Supporting the Children with Disabilities in Marka Palestinian Refugee Camp in 2011
2. The Project for Provision of Medical Equipment to Clinic in Al Wehdat Camp in 2007
3. The Project for the Improvement of Educational Equipment for the Princess Alia Bint Al-Hussein Center for Special Education in 2006
4. The project for Reconstruction of the Kindergarten in Baqa'a Camp in 2005
5. The Project for Extension of South Baqa'a MCH Center in 2002
6. The Project for Improvement of Jerash Camp Boys' Schools in 2001

Technical Cooperation

In 2006, JICA and the Department of Palestinian Affairs launched projects in several camps to improve women’s vocational training centers. Moreover, in 2009, they started “the Project for Improvement of Livelihood for Palestinian Refugees”. 

    Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Senior Volunteers

     Over the past few years, around thirty five members of Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers and Senior Volunteers have been dispatched to the Palestinian refugee camps. At present, 18 members are working to support the lives of refugees through various activities such as juvenile activity, early childhood education, physical education and art.