The Government of Japan decided on December 19 (Fri) to extend emergency grant aid of approximately six million dollars in total to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Trust Fund for the Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People.
In the Palestinian territories, the economic, social and humanitarian situation of the Palestinians has deteriorated extremely since the conflict broke out at the end of September 2000. Particularly serious are the issues of employment and poverty, and the lack of social services such as medical care. These issues need to be dealt with promptly. Against this background and in response to the United Nations consolidated appeal issued on November 18 for a total of more than 300 million dollars to be extended to the Palestinians, this emergency grant aid will be provided for the following three projects: "Emergency Employment Generation through Upgrading of Educational and Vocational Training Facilities in the West Bank", "Construction of Municipal Facilities / Community Centers in Rural Areas of the West Bank" and "Humanitarian Relief Through Shelter Construction for Poor families in the Gaza Strip".
The Government of Japan expects that such aid will contribute to improving the humanitarian situation of the poverty-stricken Palestinians. The Government of Japan is committed to continue to actively extend assistance to the Palestinian people in the recognition that the resolution of the Palestinian issue is the key for bringing about peace to the Middle East.
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Prime Minister's Special Envoy Mr. Koumura and Mr. Aisawa, having visited Arab counties, explained about this assistance to these countries' leaders, and these countries expressed appreciation and appraisal to our country's assistance to the Palestinians and expectation for these efforts to be continued.