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The Donors Conference on Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected Areas

Statement by H.E. Yasuhisa Shiozaki
Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan

19th November 2005

H.E. Mr. Pervez Musharraf, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
H.E. Mr. Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,
H.E. Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations,
Distinguished delegates of participating countries and international organizations,
Ladies and gentlemen,

1. I wish to extend my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the recent large-scale earthquake in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and surrounding areas, as well as my sympathies to all the affected people of this disaster. I also wish to express my sincere respect for the Government of Pakistan and aid workers from various countries, United Nations and other international organizations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who have been making tireless efforts immediately following the earthquake and beyond.
2. Japan has its own experience of being struck by a major earthquake in the Kobe-Hyogo region ten years ago, when a great number of precious lives were lost. Last year, another major earthquake hit Niigata, Japan, which also caused serious damages. Having undergone a series of natural disasters ourselves, we in Japan feel the deepest sympathy for, and solidarity with, the people of Pakistan.
3. With these special sentiments and as a long-term friend of Pakistan, Japan has been extending its utmost assistance and cooperation, both on a governmental and private level, since immediately after the earthquake. The Government of Japan dispatched a Rescue Team, Medical Teams and, six helicopters of Ground Self-Defense Force (SDF) along with more than 100 personnel. The Government of Japan also extended grant aid totaling 20 million US dollars, as well as emergency assistance in kind.
4. In addition to these efforts by the Government of Japan, Japan's political parties and private sector have also been involved actively.

   (1)	Personnel from a number of Japanese NGOs entered the affected areas as early as the day following the earthquake, and have since been providing emergency humanitarian assistance. To support the NGOs' activities, the Government of Japan granted about 4 million US dollars through the Japan Platform (JPF). We intend to continue to strengthen its partnership with those NGOs in an attempt to assist them in their emergency humanitarian relief activities.
   (2)	10 million yen was donated to Japan Red Cross Society by Japanese private companies and citizens. The fund has been used for the activities of International Red Cross Society.
   (3)	130 million yen in cash and many relief materials including blankets and tents were donated to the Embassy of Pakistan, Tokyo.
   (4)	Last but not least, the ruling parties of Japan, one of which I belong to, sent their delegation to Pakistan by a chartered flight, delivering about 20 tons of tents, blankets, winter clothes, and other equipment to Pakistan.

5. These firm actions taken by Japan as a whole, through close partnership between the public and private sectors, show that our friendship with Pakistan is not limited to a governmental level but has also become ties between peoples.
6. Japan is concentrating its public and private assistance to Batgram and its surroundings in the North-West Frontier Province. In that region, the Japanese Rescue Team, Medical Team, Self-Defense Force (SDF) units, and NGOs, along with the Government of Pakistan, and international organizations, are coordinating their respective efforts in order to assist those in need in an effective and efficient manner. I believe all those dedicated efforts represent another good example of international emergency assistance practice.
7. Given the devastating damage caused by the recent earthquake, we face a tremendous challenge. In addition to the emergency assistance extended so far, it is urgently necessary to rebuild the completely destroyed roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure and houses, improve health and hygiene conditions, and restore other foundations of people's lives. Also, it is important for us to provide considerate care for women and children, and other vulnerable people. Moreover, many people in mountainous areas are still in need of assistance as winter approaches. To recover from this difficult situation, the Government of Pakistan and the international community should continue their united and concerted efforts.
8. Taking these needs into account, the Government of Japan announces its decision to extend the following additional assistance for rehabilitation and reconstruction.

   (1)	To meet the financial demand for emergency reconstruction, we have decided to provide yen loan amounting to 100 million dollars to the Government of Pakistan.
   (2)	As a part of assistance for reconstruction, we have also decided to respond to appeals from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank by extending 5 million dollars to each organization, with a total of 10 million dollars through the Japanese trust funds in these organizations.
   (3)	Based on the joint Needs Assessment conducted by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and other organizations, and the survey findings of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), we intend to continue extending our cooperation in the reconstruction efforts of infrastructural development by using yen loans and grant aid. The areas targeted will include Muzaffarabad and other areas of the Kashmir region, where the damage is particularly severe, along with Batgram and its surroundings. We will thus identify the local needs and readiness, then consider the specifics of the assistance we will extend. To facilitate the aid workers in starting their reconstruction efforts swiftly, we will also consider conducting quick development studies to enable the rebuilding of infrastructure in the areas accessible in the winter.
   (4)	As I mentioned earlier, Japan has suffered many earthquake disasters, and thus has accrued expertise and experience regarding earthquake response. To capitalize on the technology accumulated from such experiences for the benefit of Pakistan, we are ready to dispatch experts to enhance disaster-prevention skills for building earthquake-proof houses and other projects.

9. With a view to effectively using the assistance from the international society including Japan for reconstruction, Japan hopes that the Government of Pakistan will continue to work closely with donor community and hopes its finance would be run efficiently and rigidly, taking measures to assure macro-economic stability.
10. Since the establishment of our diplomatic relations, the Japanese Government and the people have always stood by Pakistan. In response to this unprecedented sufferings caused to the Pakistani people, we intend to continue to focus our energy both on a public and private level, and do our utmost to extend assistance in order to bring courage and hope to the Pakistanis striving to overcome the enormous challenges ahead.

Thank you very much.