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Conference Title: “Growing Together: Japan’s 70th Anniversary of Support to UNRWA and the 15th Anniversary of the Palestinian Mother and Child Handbook”.
Date: June 6, 2023
Organizer: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA)
Co-organized by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Supported by: International Maternal and Child Health Committee, Japan WHO Association
Location: Gaza, Palestine
Main Participants
Mr. Yoichi Nakajima, Ambassador for Relations with Palestine and Director, Japanese Representative Office in Palestine
Mr. Mitsutaka Hoshi, Director, JICA Palestine Office
Akihiro Kiyota, Director of Health, UNRWA
Mr. Ghada Al-Jaba, Chief of Health Sector, UNRWA Gaza
Mothers and Children in Gaza and Japan Using the Maternal and Child Health Handbook
Background and Objectives
The Palestinian Mother and Child Health Handbook, known as the “Passport to Life,” was created with the support of JICA and has been effectively used for 15 years through the efforts of UNRWA and the Palestinian Health Authority, supporting the health of Palestinian mothers and children. The Palestinian Health Authority, with technical cooperation from JICA and in cooperation with UNRWA, created the world’s first Arabic version of the MCH handbook and began its operation in 2008 at public medical institutions in the West Bank and at UNRWA medical facilities. Since then, the MCH handbook has been utilized in the Gaza Strip and UNRWA Palestinian refugee camps in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.JICA and UNRWA have developed a smartphone application of the MCH handbook for Palestinian refugees and have been using it together with the handbook since 2017.JICA is continuously working on the Palestinian JICA has continuously supported the dissemination and institutionalization of the MCH handbook, and in FY2022 supported the revision and printing of 165,000 copies of the MCH handbook.
In the first part of this event, representatives of the Japanese government, UNRWA, and JICA congratulated the participants and shared their achievements in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of Japan’s support to UNRWA and the 15th anniversary of the Palestinian Mother and Child Handbook. In the second part, mothers from Gaza and Japan interacted online and exchanged views on the MCH handbook and child-rearing.
Contents
In the first part of the session, congratulatory messages were delivered on the 70th anniversary of Japan’s support to UNRWA and the 15th anniversary of the Palestinian Mother and Child Handbook. Ambassador Yoichi Nakajima, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs, stated that Japan is proud of its experience in contributing to the health of Palestinian mothers and children, and Dr. Ghada al-Jaba of UNRWA also thanked the MCH handbook for bringing adequate maternal and child health care to Palestinian refugees. Mr. Mitsutaka Hoshi, Director of the JICA Palestine Office, emphasized the significance of the MCH handbook, saying that it is known locally as a “passport to life” and ensures that all mothers and children receive continuous care regardless of their place of birth or environment. UNRWA Health Director Akihiro Kiyota thanked the Japanese government and JICA for their support over the years, and commented that the MCH handbook, known as the “JICA Book,” is used by one million mothers and children at UNRWA clinics and is essential for providing adequate health care to Palestinian refugees. midwife Itaf Abu Zarqa said, “The Maternal and Child Health Handbook has improved the care we provide. It has provided accurate information and encouragement to mothers and improved care at home.” He delivered a joyful response.
In the second part, mothers from Gaza and Japan exchanged opinions online about the MCH handbook and child-rearing. A mother from Gaza said, “Whenever I visit any medical facility, I can visit them with peace of mind because the results of my past examinations are recorded in my MCH handbook.” A mother in Gaza said, “They are like friends! It’s like a friend! She indicated that the MCH handbook is a familiar presence in her life. Japanese mothers commented that they like the pages where they can write about their children’s growth and their own thoughts and feelings. Mothers in both countries also shared that the MCH handbook is helpful for communication within the family and for fathers’ participation in child-rearing.
Akiko Hagiwara, a JICA international cooperation specialist who has been supporting the Palestinian Mother and Child Handbook since 2005, said, “The Health Authority, UNRWA, UNICEF, and JICA worked hard to deliver the handbook to all mothers and children while the West Bank and Gaza were divided. At the time, it was difficult for officials to come and go and for supplies to be transported. Training was conducted online, and the mother-child handbooks were kept in a refrigerated vaccine truck. Hearing the joyful voices of mothers at the commemorative ceremony, we realized that the mother-child handbook had taken root in Gaza, which had been under a strict blockade for 15 years. I was convinced of the significance of the collaboration between UN agencies, the government, and JICA to reach the mothers and children who need assistance the most. I am convinced of the significance of cooperation between UN agencies, the government, and JICA to deliver assistance to mothers and children most in need.
Materials
Photo
Commemorative ceremony (Photo: JICA Palestine Office) Palestinian mothers and children in Gaza (Photo: UNRWA)
Inspection of UNRWA clinic by Ambassador Nakajima, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs, and Director Hoshi (Photo: UNRWA) Palestinian mothers and children in Gaza and their mother-child handbook (Photo: JICA Palestine Office)
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