Japan will donate almost $10 million to finance UNESCO’s emergency measures in Ukraine and neighboring countries in the fields of education, culture and the protection of journalists. This contribution makes Japan a leading partner of UNESCO in Ukraine.
In total, this year Japan has provided a record amount of funding for UNESCO in the amount of nearly $16.1 million. The funds are to be invested in projects in Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Mozambique, Nigeria, Thailand and Yemen.
The following projects will be implemented by UNESCO:
- culture:
the protection and restoration of cultural heritage sites for which the authorities can submit a World Heritage nomination. In coordination with the Ministry of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine, four of these sites will be restored, including the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and ten sites will be provided with an emergency preparedness plan, which will include their full 3D digitization. These funds will also finance the continuation of the satellite monitoring system and the delivery of additional equipment for the protection of cultural buildings. About fifty specialists will be trained in urgent stabilization work.
- journalism:
UNESCO will provide psychological support and legal advice to journalists, and increase the number of training courses for media professionals on how to protect themselves in war zones. The Organization will also deliver equipment to newsrooms, including electric generators, so they can continue their vital work to inform. Finally, UNESCO will support local media in Moldova, Romania and Slovakia to provide information in Ukrainian to refugees in these countries and promote understanding between refugees and host populations.
