February 18, 2023

Japanese Communist Party member of the House of Councilors Inoue Satoshi visited the UN World Food Programme (WFP) Japan Relation Office on February 17 and submitted five million yen in donations that the JCP had collected for relief to earthquake sufferers in Turkey and Syria.

Expressing gratitude for the JCP cooperation, Shimomura Rie, deputy director of the WFP Japan office, said, "We will soon deliver the donations to the quake-hit areas." She also said that the WFP is aiming to provide food support to 900,000 victims, and that 480,000 Turkish and Syrian victims have received food, as of now.

Inoue said, "Since Japan is a country hit frequently by earthquakes, many Japanese people feel a strong sense of sympathy for quake victims," and related contributors' messages such as "I pray that relief aid will reach all victims as soon as possible," and "I hope that my small contribution will be of help."

Shimomura said that 12 years have passed since the Syrian conflict broke out, and that the WFP monthly provided aid for 5.5 million Syrian people before the quake. However, the WFP temporarily suspended the usual assistance right after the quake in order to focus on disaster relief activities, according to Shimomura. She underscored the need to sustain constant international support even after the period of emergency assistance.

Past related article:
> Shii calls for people’s support to donations for Turkey-Syria quake victims [February 10, 2023]