On August 23, commencing at 4:45 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H. E. Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation of the Republic of Burundi, during his visit to Japan to attend Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows:

At the outset of the meeting, Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan has continued to cooperate with Burundi during its difficult times and would like to continue to develop bilateral and international cooperation. In response, Minister Shingiro expressed his gratitude for Japan’s support to Burundi and his desire to deepen cooperation with Japan in various fields including the mineral resources sector, through cooperation including the TICAD process.

The two ministers shared their view to work together to strengthen the regional connectivity.

The two ministers confirmed that they would further develop Japan-Burundi relations towards TICAD 9 in the coming year.

In addition, they exchanged views on international cooperation in such areas as Security Council reform.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

A new wave of cholera in Sudan, the second outbreak since the start of the war sixteen months ago, is threatening displaced communities across the country, warns UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency today.

Of particular concern is the spread of the disease in areas hosting refugees, mainly in Kassala, Gedaref and Jazirah states. In addition to hosting refugees from other countries, these states are also sheltering thousands of displaced Sudanese who have sought safety from ongoing hostilities.

To date, the cumulative number of refugee cholera cases is 119 in three refugee sites in Kassala state, as reported by Sudan’s Ministry of Health. Tragically, five refugees have died after contracting the disease. While cholera cases have been reported in Gedaref state, no refugees have been impacted to date by the outbreak there, but we continue to monitor the situation.

The recent cholera outbreak has resurged after several weeks of heavy rainfall and resulting flooding. Risks are compounded by the continuing conflict and dire humanitarian conditions, including overcrowding in camps and gathering sites for refugees and Sudanese displaced by the war, as well as limited medical supplies and health workers. This is in addition to overstretched health, water and sanitation and hygiene infrastructure – all of which have been heavily impacted by the war.

In addition to the spread of cholera, increasing cases of waterborne diseases including malaria and diarrhea, are also being reported. Constraints in humanitarian access are also impacting response efforts. Fighting, insecurity and persistent rainfall are hampering the transportation of humanitarian aid. In Sennar, Blue Nile, Jazirah, White Nile, Darfur, and Kordofan states – home to more than 7.4 million refugees and internally displaced Sudanese – access challenges have delayed the delivery of critical medicines and relief supplies.

Together with the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF and partners, UNHCR is scaling up cholera prevention and response efforts. UNHCR is working with health partners in affected locations to strengthen surveillance, early warning systems and contact tracing. It is also providing support to improve local health services and running awareness raising campaigns to inform communities how to quickly detect and respond to potential disease outbreaks. UNHCR is also advocating for refugees to be included in national response plans.

In Kassala, we are providing patient beds, medicine, and hygiene supplies in treatment facilities, and are training health workers. 28 health workers have been trained so far. Water chlorination is being conducted and we are increasing information campaigns promoting good sanitation and hygiene practices. In White Nile state, host to ten refugee camps, Cholera Treatment Centers to support isolation and treatment for suspected and confirmed cases are being established. Disease surveillance and testing are ongoing, and awareness-raising and training on cholera case management for health staff are also being conducted.

Across Sudan’s borders, UNHCR is also concerned for the health and protection of Sudanese refugees – those who fled the country. In South Sudan and Chad, our teams have reported an increase of malaria cases in refugee sites, triggered by the onset of the rainy season. This comes amid alarming rates of malnutrition, and cases of measles, acute respiratory infections, acute watery diarrhea, and the risk of outbreaks of cholera.

Since the start of the conflict in Sudan, over 10.3 million people have been driven from their homes, sheltering elsewhere within Sudan or in neighbouring countries. With the humanitarian situation and funding level already precarious prior to this latest cholera outbreak, funds are desperately needed to support the provision of health care and other life-saving aid. This includes an expansion of cholera treatment centres and other health facilities, additional health staff, and increased stocks of intravenous fluid and medicines.

Of the $1.5 billion required by UNHCR and other partners for the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRRP) to provide assistance in countries bordering Sudan, just 22 per cent has been received. The inter-agency response inside Sudan is only 37 per cent funded.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

On August 23, commencing at 6:05 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Dr. Badr ABDELATTY, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt, who is visiting Japan to attend the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) Ministerial meeting. The summary of the meeting is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Kamikawa welcomed Minister Abdelatty to assume his post as Minister of Foreign Affairs and his visit to Japan.

Both sides took an inventory of Japan-Egypt economic cooperation until this year which marked the 70th anniversary of bilateral development cooperation, reviewed the progress in development of industrial, scientific and technological human resources in the Middle East and Africa through Japan-Egypt partnership, and concurred on continuing to deepen cooperation in various fields.

Both sides confirmed the importance of further developing Japan-Egypt relations, including in the run-up to TICAD 9 in 2025.

Minister Kamikawa stated that Japan supports the efforts made by Egypt with regard to the Situation surrounding Gaza, and the need to encourage all relevant parties to exercise maximum self-restraint, and to commit the negotiations on the hostage release and ceasefire.

Furthermore, the two sides also exchanged views on the cooperation in the international arena, including the situation in the Middle East and dealing with North Korea including the abductions issue.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

On August 23, commencing at 9:35 a.m. for approximately 20 minutes, H.E. Mr. TSUJI Kiyoto, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Yacine El-Mahdi OUALID, Minister of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups and Micro-Enterprises of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, who is visiting Japan to attend the Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on African Development (TICAD). The summary of the meeting is as follows.

At the outset, State Minister Tsuji stated that he appreciates Algeria’s efforts to diversify its industries and to support startups by taking advantage of the creativity of its vibrant young labor force. In response, Minister Oualid welcomed this year’s entry into force of the Tax Convention and the Agreement for the Establishment of a Japan-Algeria Intergovernmental Joint Economic Committee, and expressed his hope to hold the first meeting of the Joint Economic Committee at an early date.

State Minister Tsuji stated that Japan appreciates Algeria’s efforts to contribute to peace and stability in the Sahel region, including economic development, and expressed his hope to work with Algeria in the context of African development, referring to the both countries’ cooperation as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council. In response, Minister Oualid explained Algeria’s effort in industrial diversification and economic integration in Africa and expressed his intention to work in partnership with Japan.

Both sides concurred on the importance of further developing Japan-Algeria relations, including in anticipation of TICAD 9 in 2025.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.