A two member delegation from the Embassy of Japan led by Ambassador Shigeki Sumi visited schools in conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine today. Since the start of the conflict, the Government of Japan has been providing humanitarian aid to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions through UNICEF. To date, the total contribution from Japan is US $8.9 million.
This amount includes a special contribution of US$300,000 which was earmarked for improving the learning environment for children's in 12 schools near the ‘contact line’ in Eastern Ukraine. With this funding, UNICEF procured furniture, sport equipment and education supplies. UNICEF also conducted mine risk education sessions for 1,800 children and trained of 100 teachers on how to mitigate some of the stresses facing the children. These interventions have helped the children and teachers cope better with the challenges of the conflict.