Japan has given 1.6 billion yen (about K15.68 billion) tothree United Nations agencies to support their activities in ethnic and border areas of Myanmar, the UN said in a news release.
The contribution, to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Children’s Fund and the World Food Programme, was handed over by the Japanese ambassador to Myanmar, Mr MikioNumata, at a ceremony in Nay Pyi Taw on March 24.
The UNHCR received Y300 million to assist those affected by conflict and especially internally displaced people in Kachin and Rakhine states, the release said, adding that the refugee agency plays a leading role in UN inter-agency efforts to provide shelter, camp management and services, including the supply of basic domestic items, for IDPs.
The Japanese contribution will also assist the government in addressing issues related to citizenship, as well as those affected by conflict in Mon, Kayin and Kayah states and Thanintharyi Region, the release said.
A 300 million yen contribution to UNICEF will go towards helping children affected by conflict in Rakhine and Kachin states, including providing them with access to clean water, sanitation, and medicine to treat diarrhoea,pneumonia and other diseases.
"Children wherever they are have the same rights and it applies in situations where they suffer most – from violence and displacement such as in Rakhine and Kachin," UNICEF’s deputy representative in Myanmar, Ms Shalini Bahuguna, was quoted as saying in the release.
"Opportunities missed in childhood are often missed forever. This primary concern is at the heart of the partnership we are celebrating between Japan and the UN," Ms Bahuguna said.
The 1 billion yen for the WFP will support life-saving food assistance to IDPs in Rakhine, Kachin and northern Shan States, where livelihoods have been disrupted by conflict and violence, the release said.
The funds will be used to buy rice, pulses, oil and salt, which the WFP distributes monthly to displaced populations, as well as blended food provided to children under five-years old and pregnant and lactating women, to help prevent malnutrition.
The release said more than 90 percent of the food will be bought locally to support Myanmar farmers and help the nationaleconomy.
Japan is the largest donor supporting WFP operations in Myanmar, the release said.
