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8 Apr, 2016

Japanese taxpayers provide $7M to support UNICEF work in Palestine

RAMALLAH, 6 April 2016, (WAFA) – The Government of Japan has donated $7 million in support of UNICEF’s humanitarian and development response to children in Palestine.

This new grant will enable UNICEF and partners to implement interventions which are critical for children’s well-being and protection from violence, and to ensure their access to basic services such as education, water and sanitation, protection or health and nutrition.

“Given the severe circumstances facing the Palestinian children on a daily basis, the Government of Japan highly appreciates UNICEF’s interventions in various areas to protect children and improve their living conditions through providing necessary cares and increasing their access to the basic services,” said Takeshi Okubo, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to the Palestinian Authority. “We feel a strong need to protect Palestinian children from violence and to improve their  access to their basic rights and services.”

Japan said its financial support will provide opportunities to strengthen Palestinian children’s resilience and their coping mechanisms in an increasingly tense environment. It will support an integrated, multi-sector response with a focus on securing the social protection and inclusiveness.

“The Government and the people of Japan have been most valued supporters of UNICEF’s mandate to improve the lives of the most vulnerable Palestinian children for years,” said June Kunugi, UNICEF State of Palestine Special Representative.

“We are very deeply grateful for Japan’s enduring commitment and generous support which will not only provide humanitarian relief, but also encourage recovery and system building benefiting Palestinian children and their families,” Kunugi added.

The grant focuses on children from birth through adolescence, including by improving neonatal services for increased survival of newborns; helping children to access safe, drinking water and adequate sanitation services while increasing the capacity of national water information management systems.