The Ambassador of Japan to Ethiopia, H.E Mr. Daisuke Matsunag, visited between 23 and 24 January humanitarian interventions in refugee camps and host communities in the Gambella Region supported by the Government of Japan, including UNFPA projects.  

The ambassador visited the Women and Girl’s Friendly spaces in the Pugnido reception center and Jewi refugee camp supported by the UNFPA GBV continuum programme, where survivor women and girls receive information and counseling services about GBV. The women and girl’s friendly spaces provide access for awareness raising, serves as referral entry points for GBV survivors and develop their skills for engagement in income generating activities.  

The ambassador also visited the Médecins Sans Frontières clinic at Kule camp and the UNFPA supported Health Center run by the Administration for Refugees and Returnees Affairs in the Jewi refugee camp where refugees receive lifesaving emergency sexual and reproductive health kits. According to the Maternal Health Unit at the Health Center, an average of 7 to 8 women deliver at the Health Center on a daily basis and that UNFPA’s support has been instrumental in reducing the unnecessary referral time and supplies shortage.   

In partnership with the Gambella Region Bureau of Women and Children’s Affairs and the International Medical Corps, UNFPA is supporting priority reproductive health, HIV and GBV interventions among South Sudan refugees and surrounding host communities through the generous support of the government of Japan. UNFPA is also supplying dignity kits for adolescent girls in school which is contributing in reducing school absenteeism during the menstruation period.