Ghana: Japan supports UNHCR operations

The Government of Japan has donated 300,000 dollars to the United Nations Refugee Agency UNHCR, operations in Ghana.

This is the second donation from the Government of Japan since 2013.

The money will enable the UNHCR to provide international protection and humanitarian assistance to 9,800 Ivorian refugees living in refugee camps in Western, Central, Brong Ahafo Regions and other urban locations in Ghana.

The donation comes at a critical period when there is a desperate shortfall in funding for UNHCR operations worldwide.

The Ivorian refugees are currently experiencing a 50 percent reduction in food ration.

The Food ration for refugees in camps is expected to be discontinued with effect from September this year due to funding shortfalls experienced by the World Food Programme.

Four years after the 2011 influx of Ivorians into Ghana, 65 percent of the refugees in camps continue to live in emergency plastic tents due to lack of funds.

The donation from Japan is very significant and timely, as dwindling resources continue to hinder delivery of humanitarian assistance to the refugees.

GBC