The Japanese government donated $7.7 million in food aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), according to a statement by the Japanese embassy in Jordan. The statement said that Palestinian refugees are in need of international aid now more than ever, in light of the difficult political and economic conditions they face. It said the Japanese contribution came in response to a UNRWA request in order to alleviate the suffering of refugees; it will help UNRWA provide refugees with food including flour, pulses and sunflower oil. Japan’s assistance to Palestinian refugees through UNRWA began in 1953 and has amounted to approximately US$600 million, including food aid contributions, and it will continue to support UNRWA’s activities in corporation with other donor countries.