Skip to main content

Japan dispatches emergency relief goods to the Republic of Niger in the wake of floods

Countries
Niger
+ 1 more
Sources
JICA
Publication date

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has dispatched emergency relief supplies to the Republic of Niger following floods caused by torrential rain that has occurred since July.

Emergency goods to the value of 16 million JPY – including 7,500 blankets, 5,000 jerry cans and 7,500 mosquito nets – arrived in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on 1st October. A handover ceremony took place the following day at 10.20am at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The ceremony was attended by Mr MASSOUDOU HASSOUMI, State Minister, Interior Minister of Public Security, Decentralization and Religious and Cultural Affairs.; President of the Committee for Flooding and Mr Guido CORNALE, Representative of UNICEF Niger Office which handles transport and distribution of relief goods. Attendees from Japan included Mr Susumu INOUE, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Niger and Côte d’Ivoire, and Mr Hitoshi Matsumoto, Resident Representative of JICA Niger Office.

During the ceremony, Minister Hassoumi mentioned Niger and Japan’s longstanding cooperation which ranges from Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Uranium extractions. He expressed his gratitude forJapan’s relief assistance, as well as acknowledging other generous support that Japan has provided in the past. He also revealed the Government of Niger’s plans to mitigate future flood disasters, to build embankments along several rivers, including the Niger River.

In response, Ambassador Inoue said that Japan’s humanitarian assistance for the victims of the floods, through JICA, reflects the friendship between Japan and the Republic of Niger, and said that he hoped the relief goods would be of help the victims during this difficult time.

The supplies will be distributed through UNICEF by the request of the Government of Niger.