Japan and UNOPS Launch $3.8 Million Project to Bolster Humanitarian Access and Health Services in Gaza and the West Bank
2026/4/20
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Equipment for Eye Hospital in East Jerusalem
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Ramallah/Jerusalem, 19 April 2026 – The Government of Japan and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have launched a USD 3.8 million initiative aimed at addressing critical bottlenecks in humanitarian access and urgent health needs across the West Bank and Gaza.
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.
Since 7 October 2023, 94% of hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Subsequent limitations to humanitarian access have left the remaining healthcare services in a perilous state of operation, barely able to discharge services to the over 42,000 people suffering from life-changing injuries to date. Essential services in the West Bank, too, remain under considerable strain. This project aims to enhance access to healthcare by addressing the following priority areas of intervention:
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.
Since 7 October 2023, 94% of hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Subsequent limitations to humanitarian access have left the remaining healthcare services in a perilous state of operation, barely able to discharge services to the over 42,000 people suffering from life-changing injuries to date. Essential services in the West Bank, too, remain under considerable strain. 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 for the mobility-challenged of assistive technology kits, including wheelchairs, crutches, and other mobility aids, to patients in need of rehabilitation, including children.
"This generous contribution from Japan will help us address some of the most pressing needs and constraints in Gaza and the West Bank today. UNOPS is proud to partner with Japan on this important effort," says Ms. Karuna Herrmann, Director of UNOPS Jerusalem.
Mr. ARAIKE Katsuhiko, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs, renews Japanese people’s steadfast commitment to supporting human security of the Palestinian people: “The Government of Japan upholds the commitment of the international community to the hard-earned peace reflected in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 and facilitating humanitarian access through the UN2720 Mechanism for Gaza as well as the West Bank through its partnership with UNOPS. The project will deliver essential medical supplies and assistive technologies to those who underwent life-changing injuries.”
The following resources provide further insight into the long-standing cooperation between the Government of Japan and UNOPS in Palestine:
Mr. ARAIKE Katsuhiko, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs, renews Japanese people’s steadfast commitment to supporting human security of the Palestinian people: “The Government of Japan upholds the commitment of the international community to the hard-earned peace reflected in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803 and facilitating humanitarian access through the UN2720 Mechanism for Gaza as well as the West Bank through its partnership with UNOPS. The project will deliver essential medical supplies and assistive technologies to those who underwent life-changing injuries.”
The following resources provide further insight into the long-standing cooperation between the Government of Japan and UNOPS in Palestine:
- Video: Restoring Access to Essential Services in the West Bank and East Jerusalem: [Link]
- Photos from previous projects