Arab News Japan

The Government of Japan announced its decision to contribute about ¥1.7 billion yen (US $16.5 million) to Lebanon through international organizations and NGOs.

The aid is to support vulnerable Lebanese citizens and refugees residing in the country.

In a statement from the Embassy of the Republic of Lebanon, the Ambassador of Lebanon to Japan Mr. Nidal Yehya told Arab News Japan that Japanese officials have shown “solidarity and love for the Lebanese people.”

He added that Japan supported Lebanon throughout the Aug. 4 Beirut explosion, the deteriorating economic situation and the coronavirus outbreak. 

According to the statement, Yehya conducted vigorous follow-ups, the Japanese government “worked to approve additional aid and grants to Lebanon. Especially after the approval of the supplementary budget in Japan.”

Lebanon is the world’s largest refugee host country per capita, putting a strain on the country’s public resources and finances.

The unprecedented economic collapse that struck Lebanon since 2019, the spread of the new coronavirus and the associated lockdown measures, and the disastrous Port of Beirut explosion on Aug. 4, 2020 also aided in the country’s economic collapse.

Poverty in Lebanon increased to 45% in 2020, according to the latest figures from the World Bank. Nearly 90% of refugees are in extreme poverty, according to the latest Lebanese Syrian Refugee Vulnerability Assessment (VASYR 2020) by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Japan aims to mitigate the economic impact on Lebanon and address the country’s urgent needs.

The Government of Japan has implemented 15 humanitarian and development initiatives in Lebanon through the likes of the UNDP, UNFPA, UNHABITAT, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNOPS, UNRWA, UNWOMEN, WFP, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Japan Platform (JPF).

The support will include the protection of vulnerable people, food security, restoration of homes and public facilities, effective coronavirus vaccine management, providing medical equipment and solar power systems to hospitals, and improving the water network in the southern suburbs of Beirut.

This material support comes in addition to the efforts put forth by Japan in support of Lebanon after the Beirut Port explosion, which included aid provided by the Japanese government amounting to $6.4 million (¥672 million), increased support for UNRWA throughout 2020 and several international organizations operating in Lebanon and a campaign of donations from the Japanese community with proceeds of $500,000 (¥53 million) through the accounts of the Japanese Red Cross.