Japanese envoy visits UNFPA project sites in Noakhali

Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Iwama Kiminori has visited the Horni Union Health & Family Welfare Center, the women-led community center in Chanondi Union, and Islamganj Janata High School.

He attended the inauguration of the renovated labor room and Rohingya refugee ward at the Noakhali district Sadar hospital.

During the two-day visit (April 22-23), the ambassador also discussed with the Divisional Director of Health, the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintendent of Police, the Hospital Superintendent, the Deputy Director of Family Planning, UNFPA, and its NGO partners.

Since the large influx of Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar in August 2017, Japan has contributed over USD 220 million to various interventions in Cox's Bazar as well as in Bhasan Char through international organizations and NGOs, read a press release.

These assistance included food assistance, healthcare, WASH, shelter, protection, and gender mainstreaming, said the Embassy of Japan on Wednesday.

Witnessing the ongoing activities in the field, Ambassador Iwama said, "This is my first visit to the Noakhali district, and I extend my appreciation to UNFPA for its unwavering commitment to promoting maternal health as well as addressing gender-based violence (GBV), in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh and the people of Japan."

He said this is a unique contribution to bridging humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. "I hope this project will contribute to delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled."

"We are grateful to the Government and people of Japan for their generous support for the health, protection, and dignity of women, adolescent girls, and young people here in Noakhali," said Masaki Watabe, deputy representative of UNFPA Bangladesh.

"The Japanese timely support to the health facilities is vital for ensuring that Rohingya refugees hosted in Bhasan Char have full access to life-saving emergency obstetric care through referral systems.”

He added, “With the Japanese support, we are also promoting life skill education in schools that help prevent child marriage and ensuring that community-based survivor-centred GBV services are made available and accessible."

More than six years have already passed since the onset of the crisis, it is essential to keep the attention of the global community, while multiple emergencies have been taking place in different parts of the world.

Japan will continue to work toward the resolution of the Rohingya issue.