UNICEF-led “Back to School campaign.” Since fall 2001 it has contributed approximately $27.41 million, which is equivalent to around 40% of total contributions from all donors. Not only the Japanese government but also private Japanese citizens are providing active support, reflecting the deep concern of the Japanese for the children of Afghanistan. Public donations have reached more than $10 million (approximately 37% of the world total of civil society donations). Japanese NGOs are also participating in this campaign.

Japanese assistance to Afghanistan also includes the dispatch of survey missions to ascertain local needs. Based on the findings of these missions, Japan has promptly provided assistance for reconstruction and development, including the emergency restoration of schools and medical facilities.

Elsewhere, since the establishment of peace in Kosovo, Japan has supported a plan by the IOM to disarm and reintegrate ex-soldiers of the Kosovo Liberation Army and a UNDP plan to establish public broadcasting facilities and rebuild housing and electric power facilities. In East Timor it has provided “hardware” assistance by supporting UNDP projects to restore roads, water supply facilities, port facilities, electric power facilities, and irrigation systems, as well as a UNICEF project to rebuild elementary schools. At the “software” level it is supporting efforts to develop the human resources that East Timor will need for national development over the medium- to long-term. Japan also helped to ensure that East Timor’s Constituent Assembly election in August 2001 was conducted fairly and efficiently, providing emergency aid totaling $1.191 million through the UNDP for use in the training of East Timorese election officials and in the application of information and communications technology to improve the accuracy of voter registration. In addition, Japan sent experts to assist with the preparation of educational materials for use in publicizing the election. “The Trust Fund for Human Security,” which was established in the UN Secretariat with funds donated by Japan, has also contributed in various ways to facilitating the smooth transition from postconflict emergency humanitarian assistance to medium- and long-term development assistance by UN agencies.

In addition to contributions through international agencies, Japan also provides bilateral aid to countries and regions affected by conflict. For example, it provided grant aid to Kosovo’s neighbors—Macedonia and Albania—for medical equipment and supplies and for support in increasing food production.

In providing assistance to countries where conflicts have occurred or are likely to occur, it is important to eliminate any elements that could lead to an escalation of conflict. Japan and Canada are working together to establish a method to assess conflict-causing elements. Missions comprising government and NGO representatives from both countries were dispatched to Guatemala in February 2001 and to Cambodia in November 2001 to undertake such assessments.

One of the problems associated with conflict is the widespread use of antipersonnel mines and small firearms. These remain a threat to human safety even after conflicts have ended, and urgent action is needed by the international community. Land mines are criticized from a humanitarian standpoint because they kill and maim indiscriminately. However, they are inexpensive to manufacture, and many countries continue to use them. Once mines have been laid, they remain functional almost indefinitely, and their removal requires enormous time and effort. Mines are a major obstacle to a nation’s recovery since they prevent residents from re-