UNICEF receives $76 million from Government of Japan

NEW YORK, 30 March 2006 – The Government of Japan has announced it will donate US $76 million to UNICEF in support of its work in 15 countries.

A significant portion of the total, US $49 million, will be dedicated to UNICEF’s effort to prevent the spread of avian influenza through communication, awareness campaigns, social mobilization and the procurement of supplies. The Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Burundi will receive US $25 million following recent conflicts, to help restore social services and sustain peace. Finally, US $2 million will be dedicated to helping Pakistan recover from last year’s massive earthquake.

“On behalf of UNICEF, I want to express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan and the Japanese people,” said UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Toshiyuki Niwa. “Their trust and generosity will make a tremendous impact on UNICEF’s work and the well-being of millions of children.”

Eleven countries are considered at high risk for avian influenza: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Nigeria and Niger and will be benefiting from the donation.

In light of the US $25 million contribution to three post-conflict countries, Japan’s Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yasuhisa Shiozaki, recently paid a visit to Southern Sudan, a region that has just emerged from a brutal civil war which lasted for more than two decades. Mr. Shiozaki saw firsthand UNICEF and partners’ efforts to bring basic services like clean water to women and children.

“The trip to Sudan gave me a deep impression that UNICEF’s support to communities and families is an extremely important part of the ’peace consolidation’ process. It was encouraging to see various agencies and civil society working together for the same cause,” said Shiozaki during his speech in Khartoum.

Like Southern Sudan, children of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia and Burundi all endured years of civil conflict. The contribution will help demobilize child soldiers and reintegrate them into their communities. It will also help UNICEF and partners restore water supplies and sanitation facilities, as well as bring more children back to school.

UNICEF has benefited from Japan’s continuous and generous support over the years. In 2005 alone, US $300 million was raised through the Government, National Committees and the general public, benefiting various UNICEF projects for the children of the world.

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For 60 years UNICEF has been the world’s leader for children, working on the ground in 155 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

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