According to Ukraine’s Finance Ministry, Japan has granted Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance $118 million for healthcare and housing projects under the World Bank’s HEAL and HOPE initiatives. The funding aims to support healthcare services, broaden access to medical care, and address the aftermath of Russia’s armed aggression, while also aiding in the reconstruction of housing infrastructure.
The HEAL (Health Emergency Action for Life) Ukraine project has received $70 million from the total donation. This project is focused on strengthening the healthcare system by supporting the state budget for medical guarantees. It aims to expand the range of medical services available to the Ukrainian populace and ensure their accessibility amid the ongoing Russian invasion.
The remaining $48.2 million has been directed towards the HOPE (Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere) project. This initiative seeks to address the housing needs of Ukrainians affected by the war. The funds are earmarked for compensatory payments to homeowners requiring minor and medium-scale repairs in both multi-family and private residences.
Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko expressed gratitude for the donation, emphasizing its significance in providing essential support to the citizens.
Olha Zykova, Deputy Finance Minister of Ukraine, noted that Japan’s support extends beyond the current donation, as the country has been providing necessary financial aid to Ukraine since the early days of the conflict. Zykova is confident that Japan’s experience in recovery projects and the World Bank’s flexibility and adaptability to emergency conditions will greatly assist in quickly initiating and implementing socially important projects to aid Ukraine.
In February, Japan pledged to allocate €1.25 billion to support Japanese investors in Ukraine as part of a new program announced during the Tokyo Conference on Development and Reconstruction. This initiative aims to facilitate the export of goods for the country’s reconstruction and provide substantial backing to Japanese businesses operating in or looking to invest in Ukraine. At the same conference, Ukraine and Japan reportedly signed 56 documents on reconstruction and business cooperation.
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