Contributions in kind

So far, Japan has made contributions in kind to the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), the United Nations Operation in Mozambique (ONUMOZ), the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), the United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor (UNAMET), the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Moreover, in order to more quickly meet the need for contributions in kind in relation to International Humanitarian Relief Operations, Japan organized the Humanitarian Relief Supply Stockpile System in 1997.

Humanitarian Relief Supply Stockpile System

To respond rapidly and appropriately to the demands of International Humanitarian Relief Operations, such as in the case of massive outflows of afflicted people, seven basic items necessary for the survival of afflicted people have been selected for stockpiling: tents, blankets, sleeping mats, jerry cans, plastic sheets, mosquito nets, and water purifiers.

In addition to contribution in kind based on the International Peace Cooperation Law, supplies stockpiled under this system have been provided to the relief activities for Afghan refugees based on the Anti-Terrorism Special Measures Law, to the humanitarian reconstruction assistance activities based on the Iraq Special Measures Law, and to the relief activities in response to the Earthquake Disaster in Sichuan Province, China.

Moreover, to further facilitate Japan's contributions in kind, a warehouse was newly established in 2006 (in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates) to cover the Middle East and African regions. This new warehouse is in addition to the domestic warehouse in Yokohama.

General Flow of Humanitarian Relief Supplies to Afflicted People

1. Stockpiling of a certain amount of humanitarian relief supplies in preparation for emergency demands		2. Quick delivery of supplies from warehouses to airports and harbors following a cabinet decision in response to requests from international organizations Transporting of supplies to a recipient country via aircraft and ships
4. Distribution of supplies by UNHCR and other relief implementation agencies after the supplies arrive at afflicted sites		3. Transporting of supplies by trucks and other convenient means of transportation once the supplies arrive in the recipient country

Image of Distribution of Supplies through Warehouses in Japan and Overseas

Warehouses overseas enable more prompt and appropriate contributions in kind

Flow Chart of Contributions in kind

Return to Top

Types of Stockpiled Supplies

	Tent Thick canvases are used in order to shut out direct sunlight and prevent the room temperature from rising. Ventilation is secured, and a simple design that permits easy repairs was adopted. There also are openings in the tents to permit stoves to be used inside the tents. (4m x 4m; capacity: 10persons)		Sleeping mat A three-layer foam material core allows a person to sleep comfortably on a hard surface. (for one person)
	Blanket Made of fleece, using recycled plastic bottles; durable, dry easily, and stay warm. (for one person)		Mosquito net Necessary for preventing malaria and other dangerous diseases in tropical regions communicated by mosquitos. (2m x 2m; presumed to be used by families)
	Jerry can Light-weight for ease of portability and made of durable polyethylene that permits the container to be folded. (The capacity of the containers is 10 liters, considering that one person needs about 10 liters of water for daily living.)		Water purifier Able to purify water by filtering out not only soil and bacteria but also much smaller particles of pesticides and heavy metals. (Able to produce 2 liters of potable water, which is considered the necessary amount for daily usage by one person, in five minutes by manual operation; for 100 persons)
	Plastic sheet A very versatile item that can be laid on the ground or used for roofing. (4m x 5m, for 2.5 people)

Japan's Record of Contributions in kind
Based on the International Peace Cooperation Law

Return to Top