Ambassador Kurai took part in a press conference on Japan’s new recovery assistance for Eastern Ukraine through international organizations

From left: UNHCR Representative in Ukraine Pablo Mateu, IOM Programme Coordinator Etsuko Inoue, Ambassador Kurai, IOM Ukraine Chief of Mission Anh Nguyen, UN Resident Coordinator Osnat Lubrani, ICRC Head of Delegation Florence Gillette, Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Reznikov ©UN Ukraine/Volodymyr Shuvayev

     On May 14, Ambassador Kurai together with the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporary Occupied Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov, UN Resident Coordinator Osnat Lubrani and ICRC Head of Delegation Florence Gillette held a joint press conference to announce Japan's new recovery assistance for the eastern regions of Ukraine.
     Since the Maidan Revolution in 2014, the Government of Japan has been providing such assistance through international organizations on an annual basis in order to support the vulnerable people in eastern Ukraine. This year, a total of USD 4.5 million have been contributed to four international organizations, namely the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and International Committee of the Red Cross, for the implementation of four projects, including the provision of humanitarian goods for internally displaced people and disaster-affected residents, their housing, community and medical support. The total amount of such assistance provided by Japan has reached USD 55.9 million over the past eight years.
     During the press conference, the Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Reznikov thanked Japan and the international partners for their unwavering and consistent support for the Ukrainian people, stressing that some areas of eastern Ukraine are still under occupation, and the international humanitarian law is being violated there on a daily basis.
     Reiterating Japan's support for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine, Ambassador Kurai mentioned about his visit to the eastern regions together with President Zelenskyy on May 8 and expressed appreciation for the efforts of the Ukrainian Government aimed at the reconstruction of the affected areas. He also stated that Japan would continue to support Ukraine in future.
     The UN Resident Coordinator Osnat Lubrani and the ICRC Head of Delegation Florence Gillette once again thanked Japan for its continued support and contributions to the international organizations, stressing that such support was vitally needed in the context of the COVID-19 spread. Furthermore, they expressed concerns regarding the ceasefire violations and closure of contact line in the eastern regions.