Japan Assists Kosovo Refugees

April 1, 1999

1. In the province of Kosovo, Yugoslavia, Yugoslav military and Serbian security forces have been attacking Albanians extensively and systematically. It is reported that more than 100,000 refugees have newly fled to neighboring countries in only the past few days.
   
   
2. Japan views the rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Kosovo with grave concern.
   Japan recognizes that it is the responsibility for the international community to quickly respond to this critical situation, and strongly supports the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and UN-related and other organizations which have been assisting the refugees and displaced persons in such a situation.
   
   
3. From such a viewpoint, Japan has decided to extend assistance of 15,000,000 U.S. dollars through the UNHCR and other organizations for the refugees and displaced persons in and around Kosovo.
   
   
4. As has already been announced, the Government of Japan is now also exploring the possibility of providing the UNHCR with 1,000 tents as assistance in kind based on the International Peace Cooperation Law.
   
   
5. As a result of this new assistance, Japan's assistance to the refugees and displaced persons in and around Kosovo comes to a total of about 25,000,000 U.S. dollars including that extended last year.