Press Release

Japan grants USD 947,700 to Women’s health, supporting urgent protection needs of sexual and reproductive health and breast cancer in vulnerable communities in Gaza and West Bank

RAMALLAH, Palestine 28 April 2021 – The Government of Japan contributed USD 947,700 in support of UNFPA’s humanitarian response to the protection and medical needs of women and girls, including prevention and treatment of breast cancer in Palestine.  

This grant will enable the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to assist an estimated 35,000 people, especially women and girls, equipping 20 health facilities with critically needed sexual and reproductive health (SRH) equipment, instruments and supplies, as well as training for 125 health care providers. It builds on a 6-year successful cooperation between the Government of Japan, the Ministry of Health and UNFPA, which has already reached over a quarter of a million of women through awareness activities, access to services including palliative care and psychosocial support. An evaluation of the project in 2018 revealed that project beneficiaries experienced significant reduction in waiting time between confirmation of cancer and beginning of treatment.

UNFPA will be working closely together with the Ministry of Health, Campaign for Children of Palestine (CCP-Japan), Palestinian Medical Relief Society and other NGOs, as well as national health care centres to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services including family planning, safe births, antenatal and post-natal care for pregnant women and women in the reproductive age. The grant will also support midwifery and breast cancer programmes; awareness raising, screening and access to services through mobile clinic, subsidies, and community campaigns.

“Women are responsible for upbringing the future generation in Palestine and are the most influential on the future building of Palestinian Society. This requires women health to be at the center of our attention.  Therefore, we are pleased to support this project, which would not be possible without our important partnership with UNFPA to implement humanitarian assistance targeting women’s health and protection in Palestine.” said Mr. MAGOSHI Masayuki, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine.

“UNFPA extends its profound thanks and appreciation to the people and to the Government of Japan for the continuous commitment to the protection and health of Palestinian women and girls. Japanese support was essential in sustaining the continuity of essential services for women and girls during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has made an invaluable difference to thousands of vulnerable people. UNFPA looks forward to continuing the fruitful cooperation with Japan, and to delivering life-saving health and protection services to those in need”, said Ms. Kristine Blokhus, UNFPA Representative. 

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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, delivers a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

For more information, please contact:

Osama Abueita, UNFPA SRH Team Leader, State of Palestine

Tel: + 972 59  9121191 abueita@unfpa.org

Asmaa Ibrahim, Representative Office of Japan to Palestine

Tel: + 972 2 2983370, asma@rm.mofa.go.jp

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