The Government of Japan announces its support to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Rwanda’s programme: “Provision of Health, Nutrition, and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services to vulnerable communities affected by floods, landslides, and mpox in six border districts of Rwanda”, amounting to USD 1.35 million (approximately 2 billion Rwandan Francs) for a duration of 12 months.
Rwanda experiences natural disasters affecting people in the country caused by global warming and climate change. Consequently, a number of health facilities and water supply systems were damaged during the floods and landslides that have not been rehabilitated, upgraded, or climate-proofed, thus exposing the vulnerable communities to the risk of water-boned diseases and health emergencies such as diarrhea, mpox and other health and nutrition-related challenges.
Given the nature of urgency in the humanitarian situation, the financial support from the people of Japan to UNICEF was swiftly approved by the Japanese Parliament to respond to urgent needs of the vulnerable communities, aiming to ensure safe access to health and WASH services reaching the last mile.
“We are deeply grateful to the Government of Japan for their generous support of USD 1.35 million towards this programme. This funding will be instrumental in addressing the urgent needs of communities impacted by natural disasters, ensuring they have safe access to essential health and WASH services,” said the UNICEF Rwanda Country Representative, a.i., Ms. Min Yuan.
The Embassy of Japan in Rwanda is glad to join in the efforts to address the needs of vulnerable people. Japan’s assistance is underpinned by the concept of “Human Security”, highlighting in particular “Human-centered cooperation” and “Solidarity” with various actors. In this regard, this collaboration with UNICEF embodies the concept of “Solidarity” in this humanitarian situation.
Japan highly values the unwavering efforts and commitment by the Government of Rwanda and UNICEF in response to urgent humanitarian needs, and Japan remains committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable people.
This support will indirectly benefit more than 300,000 people in six border districts in the Western Province of Rwanda which are most affected by floods, landslides, and mpox outbreaks. (End)