Gaza: The Government of Japan and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have launched a $3.8 million initiative aimed at addressing critical bottlenecks in humanitarian access and urgent health needs across the West Bank and Gaza.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, the 12-month project, "Emergency Access Coordination and Provision of Essential Supplies across Gaza and the West Bank," has two primary objectives: facilitating the movement of life-saving aid and personnel, and delivering essential medical supplies to healthcare facilities.
A statement issued by the Representative Office of Japan to Palestine highlighted that since October 2023, 94% of hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Limitations to humanitarian access have left the remaining healthcare services in a precarious state, struggling to provide services to over 42,000 people with life-changing injuries. Essential services in the West Bank are also under significant strain.
According to the statement, this project aims to enhance access to healthcare by addressing the following priority areas of intervention:
- Access Facilitation: Provision of 24/7 support to personnel movement across the West Bank and into Gaza through the Access Support Unit (ASU), and facilitation of entry and verification of relief goods and services for Gaza through the UN2720 Mechanism.
- Medical Equipment: Delivery of essential medicines, medical equipment, and supplies to healthcare facilities to support the treatment of thousands of injured patients.
- Rehabilitation Assistance: Provision of assistive technology kits, including wheelchairs, crutches, and mobility aids, to patients in need of rehabilitation, including children.
Karuna Herrmann, Director of UNOPS Jerusalem, remarked that Japan's contribution will help address critical needs and constraints in Gaza and the West Bank. ARAIKE Katsuhiko, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs, reaffirmed Japan's commitment to supporting the Palestinian people's human security, emphasizing the importance of delivering essential medical supplies and assistive technologies to those injured.
UNOPS plays a pivotal role as a procurement, infrastructure, and project management resource within the UN system, assisting donor and recipient governments in development and humanitarian efforts. With a history of delivering humanitarian and development projects in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, UNOPS has become an essential component of the UN System's response to the Gaza Crisis.
In December 2025, the Government of Japan announced a cooperation package for Palestine amounting to JPY 25 billion ($167 million) for 2026-2027 to continue enabling humanitarian assistance, recovery, and nation-building efforts. Since 1993, Japan has extended approximately $2.6 billion in Official Development Assistance to Palestine.