11 November 2026, Jerusalem – The World Health Organization (WHO) signed an agreement with the Government of Japan for a grant of 294 million yen (approximately US$ 1.97 million) to strengthen the ongoing health response in the Gaza Strip.
The agreement was signed by Mr Araike Katsuhiko, Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs and the Representative of Japan to Palestine, and Dr Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, WHO Representative in the occupied Palestinian territory, at a ceremony in Ramallah.
The grant comes as Gaza’s health system faces immense pressure due to shortages of health personnel, growing patient needs and increasing demand for specialized medical services.
The funding will help strengthen the coordination of emergency medical teams and support a gradual transition towards a nationally led emergency health response.
An emergency medical team coordination cell is being established within the Ministry of Health’s Emergency Operations Centre in Gaza City. The new cell, staffed by Ministry personnel with technical support from WHO, will oversee the registration, coordination and deployment of incoming emergency medical teams, helping ensure that medical assistance is delivered in line with national health priorities and established standards.
Thirty health officials and partners will receive training in requesting, managing and coordinating emergency medical teams. Standard operating procedures, practical guidance and data management systems will support the registration of teams, track medical activities and inform operational decisions and recovery planning.
The grant will also support training and equipment for 100 national emergency medical team staff, strengthening capacity to mobilize local medical teams and respond to future emergencies.
Beyond addressing immediate operational needs, the initiative aims to establish a sustainable, nationally coordinated emergency medical response system. Through the gradual transfer of emergency medical team coordination responsibilities to the Ministry of Health, the grant will help to ensure that future emergency responses are guided by national health priorities.
“As profound challenges persist in Gaza, the needs of the Palestinian people extend beyond immediate humanitarian relief. They also require the restoration of essential infrastructure, the strengthening of public institutions, and the sustained provision of basic services that enable communities to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Japan hopes that this contribution, with the support of WHO, will make a meaningful difference in improving access to essential health services for Palestinians and alleviating the challenges they face in their daily lives,” said Japan’s Ambassador for Palestinian Affairs.
“Since 2023, medical teams have helped keep Gaza’s health system standing. This project makes sure that strength stays in Gaza. By building the Ministry of Health’s capacity to coordinate and deploy emergency medical teams, we are helping ensure that future emergencies are met by a response that is nationally led, well organized and trusted,” said WHO Representative in the occupied Palestinian territory. “We are grateful to the Government and the people of Japan for making this possible.”
Source: www.emro.who.int
