The government of Japan has announced an emergency humanitarian grant of $15m to address deteriorating conditions in Iran, Lebanon, and Palestine, channelling the funds through international relief organisations including the Red Cross.
The funding, announced by Japan’s Foreign Ministry on Friday, aims to provide essential support in health, medical care, and food security through international organisations including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The largest share of the grant, totalling $10m, is allocated to Iran. Of that amount, $4m goes to the UNHCR for non-food items, water, sanitation, hygiene, and health services.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will receive $2.5m for health and medical care, the World Food Programme will receive two million dollars for food assistance, and the ICRC has been allocated $1.5m for health and medical care.
The remaining $5m is split between Lebanon and the occupied West Bank, with funds directed toward similar humanitarian priorities including food security and medical assistance.
Japan’s Foreign Ministry said the grant was aimed at alleviating worsening humanitarian conditions across the three territories, which have been severely affected by the regional conflict that erupted following United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran in February 2026.
The announcement comes as international pressure mounts on donor nations to step up civilian assistance across the Middle East, with humanitarian agencies warning of acute shortages of food, medicine, and clean water in conflict-affected areas.
(The Whistler)