PanOrient News | Akie Abe, Japan's First Lady, Visits Palestinian Refugee Center

Please Select Your Language : Arabic | Japanese

Diplomacy

Akie Abe, Japan's First Lady, Visits Palestinian Refugee Center

Monday, January 19, 2015

Amman-(PanOrient News) Mrs. Akie Abe, wife of Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Rehabilitation Center for Children with Disabilities in the Palestinian Refugee Camp in Marka on January 18.

Approximately 200 children with disabilities, from within and outside the camp, go to the Center. Japan through Grassroots Human Security Grant Assistance, has provided equipment to the Center in order to support the self-reliance of the students and reduce the burden of their families.

Mrs. Abe was received by Dr. Antaki, the representative of the Rehabilitation Center, and given a briefing on the difficulties involved in establishing the Center as well as on current activities.

“This visit (by Mrs. Abe) is an indication of Japan’s respect for the dignity of all human beings including those with disabilities, and it also symbolizes the good relations between Japan and Jordan. I deeply appreciate the cooperation of the Japanese people,” Dr. Antaka said with gratitude.

In response, Mrs. Abe stated; “I wish to express my respect for the attitude of those who are looking after vulnerable people even in a complex situation such as a refugee camp. I hope that there will be a time when people can live happily whatever circumstances they are under. This is the kind of support which I would like to continue to provide.”

Later on, Mrs. Abe enjoyed the dance performance by students who were using the Centre and talking to each student who was training there.

Mrs. Abe attended luncheon with Japanese officials of international organizations and members of Japanese NGOs that are involved in assisting Syrian refugees. During the lunch, she heard about the various activities for assisting refugees – activities that included in-kind assistance, educational help and mental care, together with the difficulties and the significance of these activities. Mrs. Abe encouraged the lunch participants by saying, “I am proud that the Japanese people and the Jordanian people who are generous to receive so many refugees are working together in this area.”

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is on a Middle East tour. He has already visited Egypt and Jordan and will travel on to Palestinian areas.

PanOrient News