Japan offers $11.5 mil. to help Sudanese refugees

TOKYO, Oct 26, 2004 (Kyodo) — Japan decided Tuesday to offer $11.5 million in grants to help refugees affected by conflicts in Sudan’s western region of Darfur, Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura [photo] said.

The money will go to four international organizations, including the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees and UNICEF, so they can improve hygienic and medical conditions for the refugees in Darfur and others who fled to Chad, Machimura said at a news conference.

The Foreign Ministry said Japan is also considering food aid and assistance aimed at increasing local food production to deal with the conflicts, which the United Nations branded the worst-ever humanitarian crisis.