Gaza, 23 November 2011: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, has opened two health centres in Jabalia and Nuseirat in the Gaza Strip. Both centres were funded by the government of Japan at a cost of nearly two million US dollars and together they serve a refugee population of over 175,000 people.

“I am delighted that amid all the difficulties we are facing in Gaza, UNRWA can announce the opening of these two centres that provide vital services to some of the most disadvantaged people in the Middle East. I give great thanks to the people and government of Japan for their generosity”, said UNRWA Health Director Dr. Akihiro Seita speaking on behalf of the Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi.

The centres provide maternal and child health services, family planning, substantial out patient care, mobile health teams that visit local schools and a range of other health services.

“This project has been suspended until the partial relaxation of blockade last year, which necessitated our re-programming in order to cover the cost hike. But we are still glad to have been able to complete in rebuilding and expanding space of this health center along with West Nuseirat Health Center”, said Representative of Japan to the PA Mr. Naofumi Hashimoto.

Japan has a strong track record in support of UNRWA’s emergency budget which funded the Jabalia and Nuseirat health centres. In 2005 Japan gave some15 million USD for the reconstruction of homes which were demolished by the Israelis in the south of Gaza. In 2006 and 2007, Japan gave nearly five million USD to UNRWA’s emergency work.

Japan is the ninth largest donor to UNRWA with an annual contribution last year of over 20 million USD. Japan’s contribution to UNRWA to date amounts to approximately USD 600 million since Japan initiated its assistance to Palestinians through UNRWA in 1953. UNRWA provides relief, social services and emergency programmes for nearly five million Palestine refugees until a just and lasting resolution to their plight is achieved.

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