Statement by H.E. Ambassador YAMANAKA Osamu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Briefing on the Pakistan floods pursuant to resolution 77/1 - General Assembly, Informal meeting, 78th session

2023/9/27

(As delivered)

 
Thank you, Mr. President.
 
On behalf of the Government of Japan, I would like to once again express our deepest condolences to the victims of the unprecedented floods and our heartfelt sympathy to all those affected.
 
Mr. President,
 
For about a year since the flood, Japan, a co-sponsor of Resolution 77/1, has been providing assistance to Pakistan to help the country recover as soon as possible.
 
To begin with, we have delivered 700 tents and 330 rolls of plastic sheets as immediate relief supplies through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
 
Japan has also contributed 7 million USD through international organizations, directed toward essential needs such as food, shelter, mats, blankets, healthcare, and water and sanitation.
 
On top of this, the Japanese government has allocated around 1.5 million USD to Japanese NGOs to assist in areas including water and sanitation, nutrition, and other support services for disaster victims.
 
Furthermore, JICA experts have played a role in coordinating the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), sharing Japan's expertise in disaster management during this process.

At the Geneva Conference in January, Japan pledged to provide around 77 million USD in additional assistance for the reconstruction phase, including in the areas of disaster management, education, health, and agriculture, which are essential for Pakistan's recovery.
 
As promised, Japan is steadily delivering its emergency humanitarian aid through various international organizations to the people in need. We are helping the Pakistani Government to strengthen its capacity to maintain and manage dykes, health care workers to build their capacity, and small farmers to improve their livelihoods.

Mr. President,
 
Japan will continue to stand by the affected people of Pakistan, embodying the concept of human security. Japan’s aid will also extend to fostering industrial recovery and enhancing the investment climate, with a focus on the medium to long term.
 
Japan remains committed to working closely with Pakistan and the international community so that the affected people can return to their normal lives as soon as possible.
 
I thank you, Mr. President.