This Article is From Apr 10, 2009

Japan gives $5 million as aid to Pakistan

Tokyo: Ahead of a donors' meet in Tokyo to assist (prop-up) the cash-strapped Pakistan government, Japan on Tuesday announced an aid of $5 million to help Pakistanis displaced by conflict in its restive FATA and NWFP regions.

"The government of Japan decided to provide grant aid totaling 5 million dollars for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The stability of Pakistan, which borders Afghanistan and works to counter terrorism, is directly linked to the peace and stability of the international community," it said.

The purpose of the grant aid is to provide a fund necessary for the assistance to provide IDPs with food, daily commodities and other items, in response to appeals for emergency humanitarian assistance by the United Nations and the ICRC, it said.

Japan will invite Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari, US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and officials from a dozen countries, including China, South Korea and some European countries to the April 17 donor meeting in Tokyo.

The aid will be provided through the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Japan and other countries and organisations concerned intend to announce assistance for Pakistan at a 'Pakistan Donors Conference' to be held on April 17 in Tokyo. The Japanese grant aid will be made as part of the assistance, the release said.
.