Tokyo – The Government of Japan has allocated USD 27 million to support IOM operations in 2019. IOM has already started using the funding to help vulnerable migrants, including displaced people, refugees, returnees and communities affected by conflict and crises around the world.  The donation will also help to build the capacity of governments in humanitarian border management to stabilize regions. 

Some 58 per cent of the contribution (USD 15.6 million) will be used to support IOM programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa, in countries including Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, the Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Lesotho.  Over half of the new Japan-funded projects in the region will improve government capacity for integrated border management. 

In Asia, part of the funding will be used to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh in the areas of health, water, sanitation and hygiene. The money will also go towards humanitarian assistance for drought-affected Afghans and building Afghanistan’s capacity by helping skilled Afghan nationals to return home from Iran. 

Other Japanese funding will continue to support IOM activities in the Middle East. In Turkey, where millions have fled the ongoing Syrian civil war, projects will help refugees and host communities by strengthening social cohesion. 

Other projects will improve livelihoods and enhance social cohesion in conflict-affected communities in Iraq and provide health assistance for internally displaced persons in Yemen.  

For more information, please contact Yuko Goto at IOM Tokyo. Tel: + 81 3 3595 0108. Email: iomtokyo@iom.int