Japan Extends JPY 2 billion (Approximately USD 13.4 million) Grant to Support Emergency Recovery in Palestine
2026/11/10
Ramallah, 10 November 2026 – Mr. ARAIKE Katsuhiko, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and Representative of Japan to Palestine, and Dr. Estephan A. Salameh, Minister of Finance and Planning of the Palestinian Authority, attended the Exchange of Notes ceremony for the grant of JPY 2 billion (approximately USD 13.4 million) for the Programme for Emergency Recovery (Phase 3).
The ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Sami Hijjawi, Minister of Local Government; and H.E. Eng. Ahed Bseiso, Minister of Public Works and Housing.
The program, to be implemented through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (#JICA), builds on Japan's previous emergency recovery assistance and aims to strengthen the capacity of Palestinian institutions and local authorities to address urgent recovery needs in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The grant will support debris removal, road and land improvement, and waste management through the provision of essential machinery and equipment, including backhoe loaders, dump trucks, wheel loaders, rock crushers, waste collection trucks, and waste containers.
In the Gaza Strip, extensive damage to buildings, roads, and public infrastructure has severely disrupted essential services and hindered recovery efforts. Approximately 68 million metric tons of debris have accumulated, while only 48 of the 261 waste collection vehicles that were in operation before October 2023 remain operational. In the West Bank, damage to roads and municipal equipment has also affected the delivery of essential public services. The deteriorating humanitarian and socio-economic situation in the West Bank further highlights the broader challenges facing Palestinian communities.
The program is expected to improve road accessibility, facilitate humanitarian assistance and reconstruction activities, strengthen waste management services, and reduce public health and environmental risks, thereby contributing to improved living conditions and the recovery of Palestinian communities.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning will oversee the program in coordination with JICA and relevant partners. The Ministry of Public Works and Housing will be responsible for debris removal and road and land improvement, while the Ministry of Local Government, local authorities, and Joint Service Councils will be responsible for overseeing waste management activities.
During the ceremony, Ambassador ARAIKE reaffirmed Japan's commitment to the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus, emphasizing the importance of advancing early recovery and long-term development alongside immediate humanitarian assistance. He also highlighted the vital role of Palestinian institutions and local authorities in ensuring effective recovery and reconstruction.
Minister Salameh expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their continued support and reaffirmed the Palestinian Authority's commitment to making effective use of this assistance to improve the livelihoods of the Palestinian people.
#Japan has provided continuous support to #Palestine over many years, with its cumulative assistance totaling approximately USD 2.8 billion since 1993. This grant forms part of Japan's JPY 25 billion (approximately USD 167 million) cooperation package for Palestine for 2026–2027, aimed at supporting humanitarian assistance, early recovery, and Palestinian nation-building efforts.
The ceremony was attended by H.E. Dr. Sami Hijjawi, Minister of Local Government; and H.E. Eng. Ahed Bseiso, Minister of Public Works and Housing.
The program, to be implemented through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (#JICA), builds on Japan's previous emergency recovery assistance and aims to strengthen the capacity of Palestinian institutions and local authorities to address urgent recovery needs in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The grant will support debris removal, road and land improvement, and waste management through the provision of essential machinery and equipment, including backhoe loaders, dump trucks, wheel loaders, rock crushers, waste collection trucks, and waste containers.
In the Gaza Strip, extensive damage to buildings, roads, and public infrastructure has severely disrupted essential services and hindered recovery efforts. Approximately 68 million metric tons of debris have accumulated, while only 48 of the 261 waste collection vehicles that were in operation before October 2023 remain operational. In the West Bank, damage to roads and municipal equipment has also affected the delivery of essential public services. The deteriorating humanitarian and socio-economic situation in the West Bank further highlights the broader challenges facing Palestinian communities.
The program is expected to improve road accessibility, facilitate humanitarian assistance and reconstruction activities, strengthen waste management services, and reduce public health and environmental risks, thereby contributing to improved living conditions and the recovery of Palestinian communities.
The Ministry of Finance and Planning will oversee the program in coordination with JICA and relevant partners. The Ministry of Public Works and Housing will be responsible for debris removal and road and land improvement, while the Ministry of Local Government, local authorities, and Joint Service Councils will be responsible for overseeing waste management activities.
During the ceremony, Ambassador ARAIKE reaffirmed Japan's commitment to the Humanitarian–Development–Peace Nexus, emphasizing the importance of advancing early recovery and long-term development alongside immediate humanitarian assistance. He also highlighted the vital role of Palestinian institutions and local authorities in ensuring effective recovery and reconstruction.
Minister Salameh expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government and people of Japan for their continued support and reaffirmed the Palestinian Authority's commitment to making effective use of this assistance to improve the livelihoods of the Palestinian people.
#Japan has provided continuous support to #Palestine over many years, with its cumulative assistance totaling approximately USD 2.8 billion since 1993. This grant forms part of Japan's JPY 25 billion (approximately USD 167 million) cooperation package for Palestine for 2026–2027, aimed at supporting humanitarian assistance, early recovery, and Palestinian nation-building efforts.