On 24 May 2015, the Ambassador of Japan to Sudan, HE Mr. Hideki Ito, paid a courtesy call to UNAMID’s Acting Joint Special Representative (AJSR), Abiodun Bashua, at the Mission’s Headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur. 

In his briefing to the Ambassador, Mr. Bashua commended the continued support of Japan for the people of Darfur and applauded the Japanese Government for donating 2.9 million dollars for humanitarian and capacity-building projects in Darfur. 

The AJSR assured the Ambassador that the funds provided by Japan would be utilized for enhancing the Native Administration’s capacity, supporting girls’ education and stemming conflicts over access to water.

Mr. Ito and the AJSR also discussed the humanitarian situation in Darfur, UNAMID’s exit strategy and the incidents in Kass, South Darfur and Thabit, North Darfur.

Mr. Ito informed Mr. Bashua that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will embark on capacity-building projects in Darfur to support peace and stability in the region. 

The Japanese Ambassador is conducting a three-day visit to Darfur to assess several development projects sponsored by his Government in different areas, including El Fasher and El Kuma, North Darfur; Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced persons, near El Fasher and El Geneina and Foro Barange, West Darfur. 

During his visit to Foro Branga locality, on 25 May, Mr. Ito inaugurated the Bakht El Roda Basic School for Girls, which was constructed through joint efforts of Japan, UNAMID and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). “I am pleased that we have been able to contribute through UNAMID to build this school. I am particularly happy because this school serves girls. We cannot talk about community vitality without the vitality of women.” Ambassador Ito said.

Among the Japan-funded projects in Darfur is a 500,000 U.S dollars water treatment plant in El Fasher. The plant provides 1500 cubic meter daily, benefiting about 3600 families in the city.