アフガン難民解決戦略支援プラットフォーム グローバル・レベル・コア・グループ特別会合における岡庭健大使によるステートメント（令和3年10月1日）
令和3年10月12日
of the Support Platform for the Solution Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR)
Remarks by Ambassador OKANIWA Ken, Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva
(1 October, 2021)
Japan also thanks the EU for proposing the revised work plan adjusted to the development of the situation on the ground.
Japan fully recognizes the growing humanitarian needs in Afghanistan, and concurs that collective action by the international community is urgently required. Japan recently announced its intention to provide a total of USD 200 million for the Afghanistan situation this year, including USD 65 million in new assistance in such areas as shelter, health, WASH, food, agriculture and education, through international organizations.
In addition to providing immediate life-saving support, it is necessary to sustain the economy and basic services in Afghanistan. Japan would like to discuss how to address this challenge with the Core Group members and other donor countries.
It is essential to ensure that the Afghan people are able to receive the assistance provided. Therefore, the role of international humanitarian agencies such as UNHCR is vital to reach and deliver assistance to the people in need. We appreciate the recent visit by the High Commissioner to Afghanistan, and understand that it is important for UNHCR to be engaged with the Taliban to conduct secure operations.
We need to consider how to engage with the Taliban taking into account their actual actions and the reality in Afghanistan, including in terms of the rights of women and girls. In particular, we are concerned about the multiple reports that access to work and education by women and girls is restricted.
Iran and Pakistan need sustained support irrespective of further refugee flows, given the fact that the two countries have already accepted millions of Afghan refugees. In July, Japan provided 2.9 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Iran. In Pakistan, we are currently supporting the three-year project for protection, education and livelihood assistance by UNHCR that will benefit the Afghan refugees and the host communities.
Japan will continue to work with all Core Group Members and UNHCR to provide necessary assistance to the Afghan people and the host countries.