By SHOHEI SASAGAWA/ Staff Writer
June 20, 2023 at 19:01 JST
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after their meeting on March 21 in Kyiv. (Asahi Shimbun file photo)
The government officially decided on June 20 to distribute $5 million (708 million yen) in emergency grant aid to help Ukraine following the breach of a dam in the war-torn country earlier this month.
The Foreign Ministry said the funds will be used as humanitarian assistance such as for food, water, sanitation, housing repairs and other essential needs through four international organizations.
“This aid holds great significance in showing our country’s support for Ukraine,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a news conference on June 20.
“We would like to take a leading role as the chair of the Group of Seven nations and continue providing support to meet the requirements of those in need,” he added.
Japan will provide $2 million to the United Nations World Food Program, $1.3 million to UNICEF, $1 million to the International Organization for Migration and $700,000 to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.
The Kakhovka dam in Kherson province collapsed on June 6, causing severe flooding in the surrounding areas. Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for destroying the structure.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on June 9 pledged to provide around $5 million in support during telephone talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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