Emergency Aid to the Marshall Islands for Typhoon Disaster

December 19, 1997

1. On December 19 (Fri.), the Government of Japan decided to extend financial assistance of 50,000 dollars to the Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which has suffered serious damage from a typhoon.
   
   
2. From December 10 to 12, typhoon "Paka" hit the country, and caused torrential rains in extensive areas in the southern part, including Majuro and Kwajalein Atolls, which are densely populated. Houses have been destroyed, and copra, the country's main agricultural product, has been greatly damaged.
   
   In such a situation, the government of the Marshall Islands launched relief activities, and at the same time, requested emergency assistance from Japan and other countries.
   
   
3. The Government of Japan has decided to extend emergency aid from a humanitarian viewpoint, taking account of the seriousness of the disaster and the friendly relations existing between Japan and the Marshall Islands.