Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Japan has agreed grant aid of 813 million yen (approximately $5.5 million) to help improve access to health and nutrition services for vulnerable children and women in rural areas in Syria.

Japan’s Ambassador to the United Nations MIKAWA Tomohiro signed the deal in New York with Mandeep O’Brien, Director, Public Partnerships Division of the United Nations Children’s Fund.

In the 13 years since the Syrian crisis began, it is estimated that 16.7 million people in the country have needed humanitarian assistance. The collapse of the former Syrian regime in December has raised concerns that the humanitarian situation will further deteriorate.

With an increase in internally displaced persons and returnees, the demand for health services is expected to increase further in the coming months, making support in the health sector an urgent issue.

According to the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo, the aid provided by Japan will rehabilitate primary medical facilities and strengthen the health service delivery system in rural Damascus Governorate. It will improve access to health and nutrition services for vulnerable displaced persons, mainly children and women.