Following a meeting between Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, Japan has decided to resume funding to the United Nations aid agency for Palestinian refugees. The decision comes after Japan had suspended assistance due to Israeli claims that some UNRWA staff were involved in Hamas attacks on October 7.
During their meeting in Tokyo, Kamikawa and Lazzarini discussed measures to enhance transparency and governance within UNRWA, including ensuring the traceability of funds and the neutrality of staff. The Japanese foreign ministry stated that Japan and UNRWA will work together on final coordination to resume Japan’s contribution.
This decision by Japan follows similar actions by the European Commission, Canada, Australia, Sweden, and Finland in recent weeks. Lazzarini stated in an interview that UNRWA had secured funding until the end of May after concerns that operations could be halted in March.
In January, over a dozen countries had suspended funding to UNRWA following Israeli allegations that some staff were involved in attacks by Hamas. Israeli authorities claimed that over 450 UNRWA employees were connected to terror groups in Gaza. The UN is currently investigating these claims as Israel has not provided evidence to support them.
UNRWA, established in 1949, provides food, healthcare, and education to around 5.9 million Palestinian refugees. The agency was promised funding of $1.2 billion in 2022, with major contributions coming from the United States, Germany, and the European Union.