Japan contributes US$ 2 million to UNHCR Nepal

Kathmandu, September 10: The Government of Japan, has contributed US$ 2 million to UNHCR’s activities in Nepal for the year 2007.
 
“We are profoundly grateful to the government and people of Japan for this generous contribution,” said Abraham ABRAHAM, UNHCR Representative in Nepal.

“Japan has been continuously supporting the UN refugee agency’s activities in Nepal since the beginning, from annual cash contributions from the government to in-kind donations from other Japanese organizations and private donors.”

This contribution of US$ 2 million will go towards meeting the ongoing protection and material needs of the exiled Bhutanese in camps in eastern Nepal and persons of concern to UNHCR for the year 2007 under all sectors of assistance, including health and nutrition, education, legal assistance, sanitation, shelter and water.

“Particular emphasis will be given on empowerment of refugee women and prevention of Sexual and Gender based Violence and HIV/AIDS,” added Abraham.

“From the perspective of human security, Japan has placed humanitarian assistance as one of the important pillars of its international contributions and has been providing active support to the operations of UNHCR,” said Tsutomu Hiraoka, Ambassador of Japan in Nepal.

“Especially as a member of Asia, Japan intends to continue its support on the UNHCR’s activities in Asia. Japan hopes that its support will contribute to the welfare of the refugees in Nepal,” he said further

Japan is one of the largest donors of UNHCR program worldwide and is the largest donor to UNHCR activities in Nepal for the year 2007.

Globally, for 2007, Japan has so far contributed more that US$ 75 million to UNHCR.

In Nepal, the UN refugee agency provides international protection and assistance to around 107,000 exiled Bhutanese who have been sheltering in seven camps in eastern Nepal since the early 1990’s. Bhutan News Service