Government of Japan partners with UNICEF to provide humanitarian aid to 400,000 Ukrainian children

KYIV, 6 February 2023 – The Government of Japan has contributed an additional US$21.26 million to UNICEF to provide emergency support to 400,000 Ukrainian children, including children separated from their families, and children with disabilities.

This funding received from the Government of Japan will provide comprehensive support, including integrated social services, including education, health, and water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH) services, to war-affected children and their families across Ukraine. UNICEF will provide schools with shelter kits and learning materials, deliver essential health supplies and vaccines to hospitals, provide safe drinking water, and deliver sanitation and hygiene products. Additionally, UNICEF will also support child protection services and social protection systems.

Children and other vulnerable people are the ones who suffer the most from conflict. In particular, ensuring health, education, water and sanitation, and protection services for those affected is a matter of urgency and necessity. Japan intends to continue to provide assistance for children and other vulnerable people.” said the Ambassador of Japan, MATSUDA Kuninori. 

In 2022, Japan’s partnership with UNICEF ensured its humanitarian response was sustained throughout the first eight months of the war. Continued funding is crucial for the ongoing provision of humanitarian assistance.

“The war in Ukraine has had devastating impact on children, on all aspects of their lives. About 2.1 million children across the country require child protection services. We are very grateful to the Government of Japan for this critical and timely contribution. The children of Ukraine need a return to normalcy, which won’t happen until the war ends. However, with this funding we can cover the immediate and emerging humanitarian needs of some 400,000 children in Ukraine, and this is desperately needed,” said UNICEF Ukraine Representative Murat Sahin.