Ramallah / Gaza Strip, 28 April 2026: The Government of Japan has contributed approximately USD 5 million to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to enable activities across Gaza and the West Bank focused on managing and reducing the threat of explosive ordnance in conflict-affected communities of Gaza, conducting explosive ordnance risk education for communities as well as capacity building for the Palestinian Authority personnel.
Two and a half years on since the escalation of hostilities in Gaza, explosive ordnance has killed 227 people and injured 975 others. With UNMAS and partners identifying at least 989 dangerous items in Gaza, such widescale contamination continues to directly constrain humanitarian relief work and community life, and potentially delay access and delivery of recovery efforts during the ceasefire. UNMAS aspires to contribute to safeguarding communities and livelihoods, and enable smooth humanitarian and recovery interventions as follows:
- Coordinate 18 humanitarian mine action organizations to ensure that the humanitarian mine action in Palestine is aligned with the international standard, including tasking, training, quality assurance and coordination through the Mine Action Area of Responsibility;
- Conduct on-the-ground safety assessments for 100km of humanitarian corridors and access roads and to release 125,000 square metres of land for safe use;
- Sensitize 1.2 million people in Gaza and the West Bank with the risk education sessions and campaigns; and
- Train the Palestinian Mine Action Centre (PMAC) on coordination of humanitarian mine action, information management, risk education, and explosive hazard response.
Mr. ARAIKE Katsuhiko, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs, states: “As a committed advocate for the Humanitarian–Development–Peace nexus, Japan believes in the mid- to long-term benefits of establishing early recovery foundations during the emergency phases. Today, Japan seizes the opportunity presented by the hard-won ceasefire to undertake critical mine actions essential for sustainable recovery, in partnership with UNMAS. This contribution reflects Japan’s continued efforts to protect lives and promote safe and resilient communities.”
This contribution builds on the long-standing partnership between Japan and UNMAS in Palestine, which has supported a coordinated and responsive mine action response. It also constitutes part of Japan’s broader push for global humanitarian mine action, reflected on its presidency throughout 2025 to implement international frameworks, such as the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. Japan has addressed the need for strengthening national ownership and capacity for mine action.
“This generous contribution from Japan comes at a critical moment for Palestine. The project aims to generate rapid responses to mitigate against and address the EO threat, while capacitating humanitarian actors toward early recovery in Gaza in close collaboration and support of the authorities. Sustained support to minimize the threat of explosive ordnance now and in the future is key. UNMAS thanks the people of Japan for this lifesaving support to mine action interventions in Gaza and the West Bank,” states Mr. Julius Vanderwalt, Chief of Mine Action Programme in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
This partnership enables continued response to the explosive ordnance threat in Gaza and the West Bank, supporting safe and sustainable recovery.
For more information, contact:
Julius Vanderwalt, Chief of Mine Action Programme, UNMAS Occupied Palestinian Territory programme, julius.vanderwalt1@un.org
E. Lee Woodyear, Global Communications Officer, UN Headquarters New York, woodyear@un.org
