Japan donated $5.3m in humanitarian aid to various institution in Afghanistan

According to a statement from the embassy of Japan the funds will be utilised by UNHCR, UNICEF, UNMAS, WFP, WHO and IOM to address humanitarian challenges, said It added the funding would be used to support refugees returning from Pakistan and Iran and people suffering , malnutrition, natural disaster and displacement.

UNHCR will spend $1,000,000 on providing vital humanitarian assistance to returning refugees under the Voluntary Repatriation Operation, as well as reintegration through community-based programmes.

The community-based programmes will benefit internally-displaced Afghans and local hosting communities. The funding will also contribute to addressing urgent humanitarian needs of the displaced populations. An estimated 10,750 individuals will benefit.

UNICEF will get $ 800,000 to provide education in emergency services to nearly 12,500 children (IDPs, returnees and their host communities) affected by emergencies.

The project will also strengthen coordination and information management of the Education in Emergency Working Group (EiEWG), with linkages to the Development Partners Group (DPG).

Similarly, UNMAS will receive $1,000,000 to support demining activities in Badakhshan, Balkh, Bamyan, Logar, Paktia and Takhar provinces, where many communities remain affected by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).

A total of 1.2 square kilometres of land will be cleared of landmines and ERW, directly benefitting over 7,300 people who reside within one kilometre of contaminated areas.

Indirect beneficiaries are estimated at approximately 23,000. The assistance will contribute to socio-economic development as well as a reduction in civilian casualties.

Likewise, WFP will be get $1,000,000 for emergency response and the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), WFP will be able to provide life-saving food assistance to more than 7,500 IDPs and returnees and help 920 aid workers and up to 3mt of their cargo to fly to 25 hard-to-reach destinations across the country.

UNHAS is an air transportation service that carries passengers and light cargo for humanitarian and development partners and provides timely medical and security evacuations as required.

Also, WHO will be provided $500,000 to help underserved and conflict-affected population, as well as returnees from Pakistan and Iran, the statement said

The IOM would receive 1,000,000 to provide multi-purpose cash assistance to more than 2,000 highly vulnerable families returning from Iran.

Japan’s contribution will also help facilitate the return of 30 qualified Afghans from Iran, at least 50% of whom are expected to be female, to work in, and transfer their skills to, public and private institutions in Kabul.

Pajhwak/ Dawn