Sana’a, 23 February 2016 – The Government of Japan has contributed $1.5 million to UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, for its work in Yemen to protect women and girls from gender-based violence and to maintain their dignity.

“With more than 11 million people in need of protection in Yemen, including from gender-based violence, it is urgent that essential services are expanded to meet their needs,” stated Lene K. Christiansen, UNFPA’s Representative to Yemen. “We are very grateful to the people of Japan; these funds will help survivors of gender-based violence to be provided with comprehensive care and support during this crisis.”

The funds will meet over 20 per cent of the immediate needs to help prevent and tackle gender-based violence. It will also cover 17 per cent of targeted people by the gender-based violence sub-cluster under the United Nations 2016 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan.

The funds will help provide dignity kits to the most vulnerable women and girls affected by Yemen’s conflict. With the personal hygiene items and culturally appropriate clothing in these kits, women will not only be able to maintain their personal hygiene, particularly menstrual hygiene, but will have improved mobility and reduced vulnerability to gender-based violence when seeking humanitarian aid.

The funds will also help extend services and medical supplies to survivors of gender-based violence and to better coordinate data and intervention mechanisms on such violence across Yemen. Furthermore, the funds will support work with men and boys to combat gender-based violence.

“We are pleased to support UNFPA’s efforts to improve the well-being of women and girls in Yemen,” stated Katsuyoshi Hayashi, Japan’s Ambassador to Yemen.  “We hope this contribution provides much needed protection and relief to women and girls who continue to be at increased risk of violence.”

UNFPA’s support to the humanitarian situation in Yemen also responds to the needs of women and girls for reproductive health services.

For more information, please contact:

UNFPA: Lankani Sikurajapathy: Tel. +962 796434401; sikurajapathy@unfpa.org

Embassy of Japan in Yemen: Koichi Hatanak: Tel. +966 504732239; koichi.hatanaka@mofa.go.jp