Extension of area of engagement by the Japanese SDF Engineering Unit in UNMISS

Concerning Japan's cooperation to UNMISS (United Nations Mission in South Sudan), based on the request to Japan by UNMISS to extend areas of engagement by the Japanese engineering unit, and as the result of coordination with the United Nations, needs for engineering operations have been identified with regards to rehabilitation of major trunk roads and airstrip, as well as UN facilities. It has also been verified that situation on site allows the SDF engineering unit to engage its activities in terms of safety and security of personnel, unit deployment and logistics.
In May 2013, Minister of Defense gave an order to extend the area of engagement by the Japanese SDF engineering unit to Eastern and Western Equatoria states located in southern part of South Sudan, in addition to in and around Juba, with a view to further contributing to the nation-building of South Sudan and to deepening its cooperation toward UNMISS. Set-up operation is expected to start from June 2013.

Contribution in kind to UNHCR for Relief of Sudanese Refugees

On April 17, the Hand-over Ceremony between the Government of Japan and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was held at the UNHCR warehouse in Juba, the Republic of South Sudan. The Government of Japan donated 1,000 tents, 25,000 blankets, 27,500 jerry cans, 10,000 plastic sheets and 35,000 sleeping mats for Sudanese refugees in South Sudan assisted by UNHCR as per the request by UNHCR. Mr. Akamatsu, Head of the Liaison Office of the Government of Japan in Juba presented the list of relief supplies to the UNHCR Representative, Mr. Cosma Chanda in the presence of the Honorable Bol John Akot, Commissioner for Refugee Affairs, the Government of South Sudan.