Japan and UNICEF reaffirm decades-long partnership to deliver results for children in Pakistan.
The Government of Japan and UNICEF reaffirmed their long-standing partnership, highlighting decades of collaboration to protect children’s rights in Pakistan.
As one of UNICEF’s longest-standing and largest global partners, Japan’s support in Pakistan has reached children and families across health, nutrition, education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and child protection. Together, Japan and UNICEF have responded to major emergencies—including Pakistan’s ongoing polio eradication efforts—while investing in resilient social systems.
Emergency Relief and Polio Eradication
Following the 2022 floods, Japan contributed US$6.48 million to support UNICEF’s emergency response in heavily impacted communities across Sindh and Balochistan. This funding enabled vulnerable families to access safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, essential healthcare, and targeted nutrition support.
Speaking on the bilateral commitment, H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, stated:
“Japan and UNICEF have walked a long road together. Ours is one of the most enduring partnerships in international development cooperation, built over decades on a shared belief that every child, no matter where they are born or what circumstances they are born into, deserves a fair chance at a healthy, safe, and dignified life. Japan’s foreign policy is guided by the deep conviction that human development, especially the wellbeing of children, is the true measure of progress.”
Ambassador Akamatsu also underscored Japan’s continuous role in polio vaccination campaigns targeting remote and hard-to-reach regions across the country.
Building Long-Term Systemic Resilience
Sharmeela Rassool, Acting UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, emphasized the long-term impact of Japan’s investments on national development:
“Japan has been a steadfast partner for children in Pakistan for decades. From responding to emergencies to strengthening essential services and supporting long-term development, Japan’s commitment has helped millions of children survive, recover and thrive. Together, we are not only meeting the urgent needs of today but also helping build stronger, more resilient systems that give every child the opportunity to survive and thrive in the future.”
Japan’s ongoing financial and technical commitments aim to ensure that critical child-welfare services remain operational during crisis recovery, laying a foundation for sustainable development and improved community resilience across Pakistan.
