The Government of Japan's support to WHO has enabled the Western Pacific Region and other countries across the globe to carry out much-needed health emergencies responses and to provide essential health services to vulnerable populations. Essential pivotal work has taken place in Ethiopia, the Gaza Strip, Pacific Islands countries, Somalia, Syria, Tonga, the Western Pacific and Ukraine.

Strategic assistance to strengthen resilience and collaboration in health security in the Western Pacific Region

Emergency medical teams trained to respond in Pacific Island countries

Situated in the Ring of Fire, Pacific Island countries and areas are highly vulnerable to disasters. Given that local responders are always the first to act, having national emergency medical teams (EMT) that are well equipped and trained to deploy at a moment's notice makes timely and high-quality health emergency responses possible, even in lower-resource settings.

WHO works with Pacific Island Countries to develop and strengthen EMTs through its EMT initiative. With support from the Government of Japan and other donors, WHO recently trained and tested Pacific Island countries' readiness to respond to health emergencies through workshops and emergency simulation exercises.

WHO's Pacific EMT training modules were designed to ensure that the teams can be self-sufficient and provide high-quality medical care in challenging environments, based on WHO's global standards adapted to the unique context of Pacific islands.

^{The Marshall Islands Medical Assistance Team (MiMat) participates in a simulation exercise during a week-long EMT training in May 2024.
Photo credit: WHO WPRO}

Read more about how WHO is utilizing donor funding to strengthen national emergency medical teams across the Pacific

Building a strong epidemiology workforce in the Western Pacific Region

Judith Gafa is the first Samoan to participate in WHO Field Epidemiology Fellowship Programme (FEFP) in the Western Pacific Region, which is supported by the Government of Japan.

Through the Programme, epidemiologists like Judith strengthen their skills in collecting, analyzing and interpreting surveillance data in response to infectious disease outbreaks. FEFP fellows introduce new tools and standardized approaches to disease surveillance and response within their respective country contexts, underpinning efforts to contain and eliminate outbreaks before they become epidemics.

The programme has worked since 2006 to strengthen countries' capacities for surveillance and risk assessment by building a workforce to tackle public health emergencies.

"The Field Epidemiology Fellowship Programme is a shining example of capacity-building, shared learning and networking. I am grateful to the Government of Japan for their support for this important work. It supports our Region to strengthen health security by building resilience and solidarity," said Gina Samaan, Regional Emergencies Director, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific.

^{Judith Gafa giving a presentation about her experience on the WHO Field Epidemiology Fellowship Programme.
Photo credit: WHO WPRO}

Read the full story about an epidemiologist's professional journey.

"Mali Mali" (Smile) - Tonga

In Tonga, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency has teamed with a volunteer group of Japanese dentists who engage closely with the Tongan Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, to improve children's oral health with the "Mali Mali" ("smile" in Tongan) programme. Once a week, this South Pacific Medical Team visits schools throughout the country to guide teachers on teaching children how to brush their teeth and use fluoride-containing mouth rinses. Schoolchildren now brush their teeth at school every day after lunch, supervised by their teachers.

The Mali Mali programme is implemented in all kindergartens and primary schools in Tonga, and it has helped the country achieve a dramatic decrease in dental caries among children aged 12 and under. It received a Best Practice Award as part of the Healthy Islands Recognition during the Fifteenth Pacific Health Ministers Meeting in 2023.

^{Children in Tonga learn to brush their teeth as part of the Mali Mali programme. Photo courtesy of the Tongan Ministry of Health}

Read more about the Pacific's 2030 Healthy Mouths - Health Lives commitment

Japan's support for WHO in other continents

Japan has supported WHO's work beyond the Western-Pacific region, in a range of country contexts including Ethiopia, Somalia and Syria. These concerted WHO-Japan efforts also include working with Bulgaria and Egypt to ensure protection for those who are particularly at risk and vulnerable such as refugees from Gaza, and Ukraine.

Mobile health teams respond to great need in Ethiopia

Since November 2021, the Amhara region of Ethiopia has faced a severe humanitarian crisis driven by internal armed conflict, multiple disease outbreaks, and the adverse effects of climate change. Nearly a million internally displaced persons are scattered across 38 collective sites and host communities, alongside hundreds of thousands of refugees and returnees and an upsurge of migrants due to conflict in neighbouring Sudan.

In response to the escalating crisis, WHO in collaboration with regional government authorities, has deployed Mobile Health and Nutrition Teams in hardest hit zones to bring essential services to the most vulnerable populations.

Thanks to donors such as the Government of Japan, 19 mobile health and nutrition teams comprising 132 multidisciplinary health workers provided essential health services including primary health care, maternal and child health care, mental health support, immunizations and nutritional care. Teams have provided more than 124,250 medical consultations, including referrals for patients requiring specialized care.

This work was also supported by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid, the United States Agency for International Development, and the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.

^{A nurse in the nutrition stabilization centre at Mehoni Primary Hospital instructs a mother on how to feed her malnouriushed child.
Photo credit: WHO/Nitsebiho Asrat}

Read more about how WHO with the support of partners is bridging gaps in health and nutrition services for vulnerable communities in Amhara.

Saving lives in flood- and drought-affected areas in Somalia

A 12-month project led by the WHO Country Office in Somalia over the course of 2023 reached over 3 million people affected by drought or flood. The Government of Japan supported the project with a grant of over US$ 700 000. Working with the Ministry of Health and Human Services, WHO aims to mitigate the health impacts of recurrent climate shocks, food insecurity and disease outbreaks, especially cholera, while strengthening health system resilience.

Thanks to Japan's funding, WHO was able to deploy 369 community health workers and 121 mobile outreach teams in drought-affected areas. These provided essential health and immunization services to local population with a special focus on children and pregnant and lactating women.

Through this project, basic health and nutrition services were delivered to more than 1.5 million people, including nearly 480 000 children aged under 5 years and more than 250 000 women of childbearing age. Through routine immunization efforts, close to 410 000 children received the pentavalent 3 and measles-containing vaccines.

"The Government of Japan recognizes the urgent need to address the health challenges exacerbated by extreme weather events in Somalia. We are pleased to continue our partnership with Somalia. Through this project, we aim to support WHO's efforts in delivering vital health care services, aiming to save lives and enhance resilience against the impacts of droughts and floods," said His Excellency Mr OKANIWA Ken, Ambassador of Japan to Somalia.

^{A mother and her child at a Public Health Centre of one of the drought-affected districts in Kismayo, Somalia.
Photo credit: WHO Somalia/I. Taxta}

Read more about how Japan and WHO's work reached over 3 million people in flood- and drought-affected people in Somalia.

Rehabilitation of major hospital in Syria completed

In July 2024 WHO proudly announced the official handover of key units in Al- Qamishli National Hospital, north-east Syria, to the Ministry of Health. This follows their rehabilitation as part of the Project for Strengthening Health Care Services. This initiative, supported by the people of Japan, aims to improve the resilience and sustainability of health facilities in Syria.

During the one-year rehabilitation project, the main focus was to rehabilitate the burns care, intensive care, emergency, dialysis, and medical imaging units of Al-Qamishli National Hospital. Outdated medical equipment was also upgraded to better serve the community.

Amidst a deepening health crisis in the region, the reopening of the units marks a major milestone in delivering essential medical assistance to the community. Local people have been increasingly affected by the ongoing crisis and the lack of access to health care.

"It is imperative that the services in this hospital are made accessible to all people living in Al-Hassakeh governorate and the surrounding areas," said Mr Adam Abdelmoula, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria.

The relaunch of Al-Qamishli National Hospital comes at a critical time. The health system in north-east Syria must contend with significant challenges, including instability, leading to shortages of medical supplies, health workers and functional infrastructure.

^{A beneficiary of the project receives health services at Al-Qamishli National Hospital.
Photo credit: WHO Syria}

Read more about how WHO and Japan transformed Al-Qamishli National Hospital in north-east Syria amist a growing health crisis.

Supporting patients from Gaza Strip to receive medical care in Egypt

A US$ 8 million grant agreement signed in March 2024 by WHO and Japan will provide essential support for critically ill patients evacuated from the Gaza Strip to Egypt for medical treatment.

Since November 2023,Egypt has been receiving and treating, free-of-charge, severely ill and injured patients from the Gaza Strip who have received treatment within Egypt or have been referred to other countries.

Under this new agreement, WHO will work with the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population to enhance the Egyptian health system's readiness to accommodate medical evacuees. This includes ensuring that referral hospitals are adequately equipped with the necessary medicines, medical supplies and equipment, and will involve capacity-building for health staff to provide life-saving emergency care.

The project will focus on locations designated by the Government of Egypt as referral pathways and receiving facilities for the evacuated patients.

"I am pleased that Japan can contribute to the efforts by the Government of Egypt and WHO on the frontline of humanitarian assistance to provide crucial medical treatment for Palestinian evacuees from Gaza. I strongly wish this medical support in partnership with Egypt and WHO will help cure the Palestinian patients and premature babies being treated in the hospitals in Egypt," said His Excellency Mr OKA Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt.

Japan is an important partner for the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, providing nearly US$ 160 million in contributions since 2016. This funding has mainly supported emergency and disease outbreak response efforts in more than 11 countries across the Region.

^{The agreement was signed by His Excellency Mr OKA Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt, and Dr Nima Abid, WHO Representative in Egypt. It was witnessed by Her Excellency Dr Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation, Egypt; Dr Hossam Abdelghaffar, Assistant to the Minister of Health and Population for Institutional Reform, Egypt; and Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Photo credit: WHO EMRO}

Read more about the WHO and Japan signing of US$ 8 million agreement to support the vital transfer of patients from Gaza Strip to Egypt.

Urgent medical and nutritional support reaches people in Gaza

In April 2024 WHO and the Government of Japan signed a US$10 million agreement to bolster the emergency health response in Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict. The agreement aims to reach an estimated one million people with life-saving medical care.

With only 30% of hospitals and 33% of primary health care centres partially operational, coupled with persistent shortages of medical supplies and equipment, and the expansion of military activities in Rafah, the health system is grappling to meet the surging health demands.

The timely assistance from the Government of Japan will play a critical role in maintaining the functionality of health facilities by supplying essential medicines, medical equipment, and supplies, ensuring the continuity and scaling up of health care services for those in need.

WHO will support in expanding emergency obstetric and neonatal care services by procuring and distributing sexual and reproductive health commodities, including midwifery and safe delivery supplies, medications, disposables, and equipment.

As Gaza continues to face catastrophic hunger, more than 31 patients, including 25 children have died due to diseases that were complicated by malnutrition. As part of the project, WHO will work to address this crisis by providing nutrition supplies to primary and secondary health facilities to support mothers and young children.

^{Health workers at Al Awda hospital in Gaza opening medical supplies received from WHO with Japan's support, allowing Gaza hospitals to continue providing lifesaving health care during emergency situations, July 2024.
Photo Credit: WHO oPt}

Read more about the WHO - Japan US$ 10 million agreement to support the health response in Gaza.

Protecting Ukrainian refugees through better disease surveillance and diagnosis in Bulgaria

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Bulgaria has granted Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection status the same access to health-care services as Bulgarian citizens.

Over the past 2 years, more than 2.4 million Ukrainians have arrived in Bulgaria and as of March 2024, close to 72 800 still remain. As the number of Ukrainian refugees steadily rises in Bulgaria, so too does the need for health systems to be resilient and prepared.

WHO, the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), and the Japanese Government handed over US$ 150 0000 worth of essential laboratory equipment to Bulgaria's National Center for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases on 11 April 2024 as part of a broad programme to support the country's health systems in providing health protection and care for a high number of refugees from Ukraine.

Alongside specialized technical support to strengthen the country's emergency response, this equipment will help increase capacity to detect and prevent the spread of many infectious diseases - such as measles, hepatitis and cholera - that could pose a particular threat to displaced people living in crowded conditions.

The donated laboratory equipment, which includes polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and biochemistry analysers, as an integrated system, can test for a broad spectrum of infectious agents. This versatility makes it an indispensable and universal tool in infectious disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and routine diagnostics.

^{Left to right: Deputy Minister of Health, Petko Stefanovski; Director of the National Centre for Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Iva Christova; Japanese Ambassador to Bulgaria, Ambassador Hisashi Michigami; Head of the Immunology Laboratory, Maria Nikolova; WHO Representative to Bulgaria, Guillaume Simonian. Photo credit: WHO}

Read more about how essential laboratory equipment arrived in Bulgaria as part of a broader project to protect the health of Ukrainian refugees.

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