Japan pledges $1m in aid for Bangladesh flood relief

Japan has pledged $1 million in aid to support the flood-affected regions of northern and south-eastern Bangladesh.

Iwama Kiminori, the Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, shared the information through a post on the Embassy’s official Facebook page on Friday (September 13).

He said, “The Government of Japan has decided to provide assistance worth $1 million to flood-affected areas of Bangladesh through UNHCR and UNICEF. These two UN agencies will swiftly deliver relief supplies to those in need.”

Ambassador Kiminori expressed his deepest sympathies for those impacted by the devastating floods and lauded the tireless efforts of rescue and relief workers. He highlighted Japan’s long-standing commitment to aiding Bangladesh in times of natural disasters, given Japan’s own experience as a disaster-prone country.

He said this is the first large-scale natural disaster faced by Bangladesh’s interim government since taking office a month ago, and Japan reaffirmed its stance to stand firmly by the Bangladeshi people during this crisis.

“In addition to the $1 million aid, Japan had earlier provided $2 million through the Japan Platform, a network of Japanese NGOs. Under this programme, seven NGOs are currently distributing various relief materials in eastern Bangladesh. The Japanese Commerce and Industry Association in Dhaka, alongside the Japanese Association in Dhaka, also contributed Tk 200,000 to the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society to support affected families,” he added.

Ambassador Kiminori expressed hope that this comprehensive assistance from the Japanese government, businesses, and NGOs would help Bangladesh recover and “build back better.”

He further reiterated Japan’s commitment under the strategic partnership between the two countries, pledging continued support to help Bangladesh recover from the floods and progress toward a more prosperous future.