Arab News Japan

The Government of Japan announced a donation of $2.2 million USD in support of UNICEF Jordan’s work to help keep children healthy and protected during the global outbreak of the deadly coronavirus COVID-19.

According to the Jordan Times, a joint statement released on Sunday stated that the funding will support UNICEF’s mission to maintain health, nutrition and protection of the children and women in Jordan, including Syrian refugees.

UNICEF Jordan’s representative Tanya Chapuisat said that the organization is working closely with partners, including the Government of Japan.

Chapuisat said they are “rapidly scaling up and striving to maintain continuity of programmes at this time, while also responding and adapting to the pandemic and its impact on the most vulnerable.”

“We are very grateful for the continued support from the people of Japan, which is helping children in Jordan to survive and thrive,” she added in the statement.

Japanese Ambassador to Jordan Hidenao Yanagi said that “Japan always stands by Jordan as a friend even during difficult times.”

Yanagi said UNICEF plays an important role in providing “humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Jordanians and refugees in various sectors such as health, WASH [water, sanitation and hygiene] as well as protection.”

The financial aid from Japan will help UNICEF Jordan to scale up sanitation and hygiene facilities for schools in Jordan, and to support vulnerable Syrian refugees living in camps.

According to the joint statement, UNICEF has distributed soap to 120,000 refugees and carried out mass hygiene awareness campaigns since the outbreak of COVID-19.

The Government of Japan’s contribution will also support child protection services, which prevent violence against women and girls.

The statement said that Japan’s government and UNICEF Jordan are “long and valued” partners. Japan has provided over $36 million USD in support of the organization, since the beginning of the Syrian refugee crisis.