The Government of Japan has contributed US$ 5.5 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in support of Palestine refugees.

UNRWA said in a press release that US$ 5 million of the contribution is part of the Government of Japan’s Emergency Grant Aid to ensure global food security.

This contribution will allow UNRWA to continue the provision of emergency food assistance to around 1.1 million severely food insecure Palestine refugees in Gaza as well as to approximately 420,000 vulnerable Palestine refugees in Syria.

Another US$ 0.5 million is part of Japan’s emergency humanitarian assistance in response to damages caused in Türkiye and Syria by the earthquake. Approximately 12,800 Palestine refugees in Syria affected by the earthquake will benefit from Japan’s generous support.

Ambassador NAKASHIMA Yoichi said: “This rapid response is a gesture of Japan’s support for people in critical need for daily life, as well as those affected by the earthquake in Syria. I would like to express our deep sympathy and solidarity with the families of the victims, and our wishes for a speedy recovery for those injured and those affected, directly or indirectly, by this disaster.”

Director of Partnerships in the UNRWA Department of External Relations and Communications, Karim Amer said: “The timely disbursement of these generous contributions from Japan will provide immediate relief to the urgent needs of Palestine refugees heavily impacted by the earthquake in Syria, and help UNRWA respond with essential, life-saving, food assistance to crisis-affected Palestine refugees in Syria and Gaza.”

UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency’s area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.

UNRWA operates in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.

Tens of thousands of Palestine refugees who lost their homes and livelihoods due to the 1948 Israeli invasion continue to be displaced and in need of support, nearly 75 years on.