Japan pledges its support to UNICEF Burundi on preparedness and response to epidemic outbreak in Burundi

The Government of Japan announced its support to United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)'s programme in response to life-threatening epidemics with the amount of USD 791,000. This project aims to:  i) break the transmission of the ongoing cholera outbreak and prevent an even larger outbreak through the provision of WASH and Health services ii) respond to the ongoing measles outbreak, reducing the risk posed to children, iii) mitigate the risk of epidemics.

The situation around the epidemiological outbreaks in Burundi was further deteriorated due to the heavy rainy period of April-May 2023. Considering the nature of urgency in this humanitarian situation where people suffer from the outbreaks, the financial support from the people of Japan to UNICEF was swiftly approved by the Japanese Diet to respond to urgent humanitarian needs of the affected population.

“We are profoundly grateful for the generous support from the Government of Japan, which comes at a critical time for children in Burundi. This funding will significantly bolster UNICEF's capacity to respond to and prepare for life-threatening epidemics, ensuring that the most vulnerable children receive the urgent care and protection they need. Our efforts, in close collaboration with WHO, IOM, and the Government of Burundi, not only aim to address immediate health outbreaks but also to strengthen resilience against future shocks or emergencies. The commitment from Japan is a testament to the power of global solidarity and a shared dedication to safeguarding children's rights and well-being in every circumstance”, says France Bégin, UNICEF Representative in Burundi.

The Embassy of Japan expresses its great pleasure to contribute to addressing the urgent needs of those people through the support to UNICEF. Japan’s assistance is based on the concept of “Human Security in the new era” that is articulated in the Development Cooperation Charter, highlighting “Solidarity”. In this regard, we believe that this collaboration with UNICEF to address the needs of those vulnerable populations embodies the concept of Solidarity. Japan is highly grateful for the initiatives made by the Burundian Government and UNICEF in the response to urgent humanitarian needs and remains committed to supporting such initiatives.