By : JD
Jordan Daily – UNRWA Health Director Dr. Seita Akihiro received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation at a ceremony hosted by Japan’s ambassador to Jordan, recognizing his three decades of work delivering medical services across the Middle East.
Dr. Seita, 64, has led UNRWA’s health programme since 2010, overseeing primary care for more than five million Palestinian refugees. He has made repeated visits to Gaza amid the recent deterioration of conditions and has overseen initiatives including polio vaccination campaigns, the Embassy of Japan in Amman said in a statement received by Jordan Daily.
“This commendation is not only for me, but for all those who support the health and well-being of Palestine refugees,” he said, praising UNRWA medical teams working under “extremely difficult conditions”.
Japanese Ambassador Hideki Asari said the award reflects Japan’s “unwavering support” for UNRWA, adding that Tokyo’s recent vote to renew the agency’s UN mandate underscored its commitment. Japan has also increased its humanitarian engagement in Gaza, with senior envoy Okubo Takeshi visiting Jordan last week for talks with UNRWA and Jordanian officials.
Dr. Seita has also worked to raise awareness in Japan about the challenges facing Palestinian refugees, which Ambassador Asari said demonstrates Japan’s long-standing support for UNRWA.
