UN General Assembly
2011

conduct the necessary field study as early as possible. Second, Japan will remain actively involved in the international community’s efforts with regard to humanitarian crises. One of the most pressing challenges at present is the drought in the Horn of Africa, which is directly affecting the children of the region. To mitigate this suffering as effectively as possible, Japan will provide further humanitarian aid in addition to the approximately $100 million in assistance that it has already implemented. The last commitment I wish to announce concerns the Middle East and North Africa. Japan will support reform and democratization efforts in this region, which is now undergoing a massive change that is often referred to as the Arab Spring. To improve the employment situation and support human resources development in the region, Japan is prepared to extend an additional yen loan worth approximately $1 billion for projects that are expected to contribute to infrastructure building and industrial development. Moreover, we will provide support to ensure fair elections in Tunisia and Egypt, where polls are