Japan contributes USD 3.5 million to help thousands of Lebanese and refugees access community services and secondary education

10 May 2019

BEIRUT, Lebanon, 10 May 2019 (UNHCR) – The Government of Japan has recently contributed a generous USD 3.5 million to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support its protection and secondary education programmes in Lebanon, benefiting over 100,000 Lebanese and Syrian refugees.

This latest funding from the people of Japan will support UNHCR in providing specialized support services for child protection as well as prevention and response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in community development centres in the Bekaa and North Lebanon regions. The contribution will also support vocational education and training programmes across Lebanon.

“This generous contribution from the Government of Japan and its people will help UNHCR continue providing essential services for vulnerable groups within the Lebanese and refugee communities. We thank Japan for its solidarity and care for the most deprived in Lebanon”, said Mireille Girard, UNHCR Representative in Lebanon.

These services include protection for children affected by violence, neglect or exploitation. They also cover tailored assistance for people at risk or survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, such as psycho-social support, legal aid and other specialized services.

Ambassador Yamaguchi said “I hope the recent Japanese contribution will help relieve the suffering of the vulnerable communities, and will promote peaceful coexistence between the Syrian refugees and the Lebanese residents.” He added, “Through this project Japan not only aims to support UNHCR’s protection and social cohesion activities, but will also enable children and youth from both local and refugee communities to pursue their education and skills development.”

The Japanese contribution will also allow Lebanese and Syrian refugee youth to access vocational education and training by increasing technical training opportunities across the country.

Japan is one of UNHCR’s most important partners and is among its top five donors globally. Thanks to the commitment of the Government of Japan and its people to support refugees, thousands of forcibly displaced persons worldwide were assisted to lead a dignified life in exile. Since 2013, Japan contributed with over USD 29 million to the UNHCR Lebanon operation.

Media contacts:

Lisa Abou Khaled, [email protected], +961 71 880 070