Jordan Daily – Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hisashi Matsumoto, visited the Amman New Camp on Tuesday to assess the situation of Palestinian refugees and observe the services provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
Matsumoto, accompanied by Japanese Ambassador to Jordan, Hideki Asari, was welcomed by Olaf Becker, Director of the UNRWA Jordan Field Office. He was briefed on the agency’s operations in Jordan and the impact of the recent regional situation on Palestinian refugees, according a statement released by the Japanese Embassy.
Photos / Embassy of Japan
During his visit to the UNRWA Preparatory Girls School No.2, Matsumoto met with the school counsellor, whose work is funded by Japan, to discuss the mental health challenges faced by students as a result of the ongoing regional unrest. He also toured the camp’s UNRWA health centre, where he observed medical services, including the use of the Mother and Child Health Handbook, developed with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Matsumoto praised the UNRWA staff for their dedication to supporting Palestinian refugees and underscored the agency’s critical role in delivering humanitarian assistance, healthcare, education, and other services.
Becker expressed gratitude for Japan’s ongoing political and financial support, which he said has been vital in strengthening education, protection, and psychosocial services for over 100,000 Palestinian students in Jordan. He commended Japan’s efforts to promote self-reliance and dignity among Palestinian refugees.
Japan, a longstanding partner of UNRWA, has allocated $3.32 million to support the agency’s “Critical Humanitarian Assistance to Palestine Refugees in Jordan in Education, Psychosocial and Protection Services” project for the period between April 2024 and March 2025.
