On 17 May 2022, UNHCR, with the Government of Romania and the Government of Japan, welcomed the arrival of crucial humanitarian supplies from Japan to Romania for people forced to flee their homes in Ukraine.
UNHCR core relief items, transported by the Government of Japan, were received in a warehouse on the outskirts of Bucharest by a delegation including Mrs. Olivia Toderean (Director General of the Department for Global Affairs in the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr. Colonel Marius Dogeanu (Head of the General Directorate for Civil Protection in the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs), H.E. Hiroshi Ueda (Ambassador of Japan to Romania), and Mr. Pablo Zapata (UNHCR Representative a.i. in Romania).
The Government of Japan is one of UNHCR’s largest donors and supporters. Japan announced a contribution of US$40.1 million in support of UNHCR’s Ukraine emergency response. In addition to continued financial and in-kind support, Japan has generously responded to UNHCR’s call for assistance as part of the Ukraine response by providing air transport to bring basic essential supplies including blankets, kitchen sets, plastic sheeting, and solar lamps to Romania. The transport of these supplies will then be facilitated by the Government of Romania onwards into Ukraine.
Mr. Colonel Marius Dogeanu (Head of the General Directorate for Civil Protection in the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs), Mrs. Olivia Toderean (Director General of the Department for Global Affairs in the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr. Hiroshi Ueda (Ambassador of Japan to Romania), and Mr. Pablo Zapata (UNHCR Representative in Romania) in a warehouse at the outskirts of Bucharest, Romania, on 17 May 2022, welcoming the arrival of crucial humanitarian supplies from Japan to Romania for people forced to flee their homes in Ukraine. © UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
Mr. Colonel Marius Dogeanu (Head of the General Directorate for Civil Protection in the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs), Mrs. Olivia Toderean (Director General of the Department for Global Affairs in the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr. Hiroshi Ueda (Ambassador of Japan to Romania), and Mr. Pablo Zapata (UNHCR Representative in Romania) in a warehouse at the outskirts of Bucharest, Romania, on 17 May 2022, welcoming the arrival of crucial humanitarian supplies from Japan to Romania for people forced to flee their homes in Ukraine. © UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
Mr. Colonel Marius Dogeanu (Head of the General Directorate for Civil Protection in the Romanian Ministry of Internal Affairs), Mrs. Olivia Toderean (Director General of the Department for Global Affairs in the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr. Hiroshi Ueda (Ambassador of Japan to Romania), and Mr. Pablo Zapata (UNHCR Representative in Romania) in a warehouse at the outskirts of Bucharest, Romania, on 17 May 2022, welcoming the arrival of crucial humanitarian supplies from Japan to Romania for people forced to flee their homes in Ukraine. © UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
“In addition to the already announced US$200 million emergency humanitarian assistance in Ukraine and neighbouring countries by the Government of Japan, we are very pleased to be able to cooperate with Romania and UNHCR in this way, as well. This joint operation symbolizes the collaboration among Japan, Romania, and UNHCR. Romania proves the proverb ’a friend in need is a friend indeed.’” said Hiroshi Ueda, Ambassador of Japan to Romania.
“This support from the Government of Japan allows UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to reach the most vulnerable inside Ukraine. As the war continues, support from the partners like the Government of Romania and the Government of Japan remains critical for UNHCR to reach those in need.” said Pablo Zapata, UNHCR Representative in Romania.
Colonel Marius Dogeanu, Head of the General Directorate for Civil Protection, emphasized the importance of the international community coming together to continue finding solutions, politically and diplomatically, for the Ukrainian people.
“Romania and Japan share common values such as the solidarity in difficult times; therefore, we are thankful to the Japan Embassy and UNHCR whose efforts made the transport of humanitarian assistance possible,” Ms. Toderean said. “ We hope this crucial help will reach those in Romania as well as the internally displaced in Ukraine, and moreover, it will give them hope for a normal future while being surrounded by friends from all over the world.”
As of 22 May, Romania has welcomed over a million refugees from Ukraine, with over 85,000 choosing to remain in the country.
In three months, the war forced one-third of Ukraine’s population to flee their homes. This is the largest human displacement crisis in the world today. Some 8 million people have been displaced internally within Ukraine and some 13 million people are estimated to be stranded in affected areas or unable to leave. Inside Ukraine, many people who are trapped are unable to meet their basic needs including food, water, and medicines. The delivery of life-saving aid, in a context where humanitarian access remains challenging. UNHCR and partners continue to strive to reach hard-hit areas with life-saving assistance as part of inter-agency convoys.
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