Ramallah:Japan has allocated a grant of US$1.97 million aimed at strengthening the health response in the Gaza Strip. The World Health Organization and the Government of Japan formalized the agreement, valuing 294 million Japanese yen, during a signing ceremony held in Ramallah.
According to Maan News Agency, the event was attended by Katsuhiko Araiqi, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine, and Reinhilde van de Werdt, the World Health Organization Representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. This grant arrives as Gaza's health system faces significant challenges, including staff shortages, rising patient demands, and a need for specialized medical services.
The grant will facilitate the establishment of an Emergency Medical Teams (EMT) coordination unit within Gaza City's Emergency Operations Center. As part of the initiative, 30 health sector officials and partners are set to receive training in emergency medical team coordination. This will include the development of standard operating procedures, practical guidelines, and data management systems to support medical activities.
Additionally, the grant will assist in training and equipping 100 national personnel in emergency medical teams, enhancing Gaza's capacity to deploy local medical teams for future emergencies. The initiative aims to strengthen the health infrastructure and ensure that emergency responses are nationally led and effectively organized.
Araiqi emphasized the importance of this contribution, stating that the needs of the Palestinian people extend beyond immediate relief, requiring support for infrastructure rehabilitation and sustainable service provision. Van de Werdt highlighted the project's goal of maintaining and strengthening the resilience of Gaza's health system, with a focus on nationally led emergency responses.