Projects include Independence Park, the Ein Al-Sultan Women's Center, and a Water Well Project.
Jericho – Under the patronage of the President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas, the Refugee Affairs Department of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), in cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), inaugurated on Sunday the Japanese Grant Projects in Ein Al-Sultan Refugee Camp in Jericho and the Jordan Valley Governorate. The projects included Independence Park, the Ein Al-Sultan Women's Center, and a Water Well Project under the Palestinian Camps Improvement Project (PALCIP), as part of efforts to improve the living conditions of Palestine refugees and strengthen their resilience.
The inauguration ceremony was held at Independence Hall in Ein Al-Sultan Refugee Camp, attended by PLO Executive Committee and Fatah Central Committee Member and Head of the Refugee Affairs Department Dr. Ahmad Abu Holi; Governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley Dr. Hussein Hamayel; Advisor to the Prime Minister for Arab Funds Affairs Dr. Nasser Qatami; First Secretary and Deputy Representative of Japan to Palestine Maiko Ishikawa; Chief Representative of the JICA Palestine Office Hiroyuki Ono; Deputy Head of the Refugee Affairs Department Mr. Anwar Hammam; the Department's directors general and staff; UNRWA Central Area Director Nazmi Al-Rashq; Chairman of the Popular Committee of Ein Al-Sultan Refugee Camp Youssef Manasra; as well as representatives of official and civil society institutions, popular committees, and community figures from the camp.
In his remarks, Dr. Abu Holi stressed that the inauguration of the Japanese grant projects comes under the patronage of President Mahmoud Abbas and reflects the Palestinian leadership's commitment to refugee issues, supporting their resilience, and improving their living conditions amid the exceptional circumstances and escalating challenges facing the Palestinian people and their refugee camps.
He explained that the projects implemented in Ein Al-Sultan Refugee Camp represent a successful model of a development partnership based on a participatory approach that places refugees at the center of identifying priorities, assessing needs, and making decisions related to improving their living environment. He emphasized that the Camps Improvement Project has demonstrated the importance of involving the local community and popular committees throughout all stages of planning and implementation.
Dr. Abu Holi commended the continued support provided by the Government of Japan to the Palestinian people and the role played by JICA, affirming that the longstanding partnership with the Japanese side has contributed to strengthening the capacities of popular committees, promoting community participation, and implementing development projects that respond to the genuine needs of Palestine refugees.
He stressed that improving the living environment and developing services and infrastructure in the refugee camps does not affect their political and legal status, nor does it imply the resettlement of refugees. Rather, it aims to strengthen their resilience and their adherence to their legitimate national rights, foremost among them the right of return to the homes from which they were displaced in 1948, in accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194.
Dr. Abu Holi further affirmed that UNRWA serves as an international witness to the cause of Palestine refugees and that its mandate derives from United Nations General Assembly Resolution 302. He warned of the systematic Israeli campaign targeting the Agency and the attempts to undermine its role, erase refugee status, and eliminate the Palestine refugee issue.
He added that the Palestine Liberation Organization will continue its political and diplomatic efforts to protect the rights of Palestine refugees, preserve UNRWA's mandate, and ensure the continuation of its services until a just and lasting solution to the Palestine refugee issue is achieved in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
For his part, Governor of Jericho and the Jordan Valley Dr. Hussein Hamayel underscored the importance of development projects in strengthening the resilience of the Palestinian people and improving the level of services provided to refugees. He praised the efforts of the Refugee Affairs Department and the ongoing cooperation with the Government of Japan and JICA in implementing projects that address the actual priorities of camp residents.
Dr. Hamayel also commended Japan's continued support for the Palestinian people, stressing that these projects are of particular importance in light of the current political and economic challenges and the need for coordinated efforts to strengthen the steadfastness of citizens and refugees on their land.
Advisor to the Prime Minister for Arab Funds Affairs Dr. Nasser Qatami highlighted the importance of supporting development and improvement projects in Palestinian refugee camps, noting that upgrading infrastructure and basic services contributes to strengthening refugee resilience and responding to their needs.
Dr. Qatami also emphasized the importance of partnership and coordination among Palestinian institutions, international partners, and donor agencies in implementing sustainable development interventions based on national priorities and the needs of local communities.
First Secretary and Deputy Representative of Japan to Palestine Maiko Ishikawa reaffirmed Japan's commitment to continuing its support for the Palestinian people and their development efforts, praising the cooperation with the Refugee Affairs Department in implementing the Palestinian Camps Improvement Project.
She pointed to the importance of the project's participatory approach, which enables camp residents to identify their own needs and priorities, thereby contributing to the implementation of sustainable projects that positively impact the lives of refugees.
Chief Representative of the JICA Palestine Office Hiroyuki Ono also affirmed the continuation of cooperation with the Refugee Affairs Department under the second phase of the Palestinian Camps Improvement Project (PALCIP II), highlighting the importance of promoting community participation and strengthening the capacities of popular committees and local communities in the refugee camps.
Chairman of the Popular Committee of Ein Al-Sultan Refugee Camp Youssef Manasra welcomed the participants, commending the efforts of the Refugee Affairs Department, the Government of Japan, and JICA in supporting the camp. He affirmed that the implemented projects respond to the priorities and needs of camp residents and contribute to improving services and living conditions.
The ceremony also included a presentation on the experience of the Camps Improvement Project in Ein Al-Sultan Refugee Camp, delivered by Nancy Al-Hindi, Director of the Central Camps Department at the Refugee Affairs Department. She reviewed the camp's experience in identifying priorities and needs through the participatory approach and outlined the different stages of project implementation.
UNRWA Central Area Director Nazmi Al-Rashq also delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of cooperation and coordination in supporting Palestine refugees and improving the services provided to them amid the increasing challenges facing the refugee camps.
Following the ceremony, participants toured the projects implemented under the Japanese grant in Ein Al-Sultan Refugee Camp, including Independence Park, the Ein Al-Sultan Women's Center, and the Lamia Water Well Project. They received a briefing on the nature, components, and significance of the projects in meeting the needs of camp residents and improving services and the living environment. The tour also featured artistic and scout performances.
The visit also included a reception for the delegation at the headquarters of the Jericho and the Jordan Valley Governorate, where Governor Dr. Hussein Hamayel welcomed the participants. Discussions focused on ways to strengthen cooperation and coordination and the importance of continuing development and improvement projects that contribute to enhancing refugee resilience and improving their living conditions and the services provided to them in the refugee camps.
The Refugee Affairs Department reaffirmed its commitment to continuing cooperation with the Government of Japan, JICA, and international partners to implement additional projects based on the priorities and needs of Palestine refugees, contributing to strengthening their resilience and improving their living conditions, while preserving the political and legal status of the refugee camps and upholding the refugees' inalienable right of return.
