Japan funds Makani centre in Zaatari

AMMAN — A Makani centre was opened at the Zaatari Refugee Camp on Tuesday, operated by UNICEF and funded by Japan, the Japanese embassy said on Tuesday.

Japan is funding the establishment of five Makani centres in Jordan, to allow vulnerable children to access free learning support, psychosocial support and life skills training, the embassy said in a statement. At the opening ceremony, Japan’s Ambassador Shuichi Sakurai noted that some Syrian children were not enrolled in formal education due to financial constraints.

“Therefore, I believe the Makani initiative… will continue to be very important, for children to continue learning, and transition to enrolment in formal public schools,” he added. So far in 2016, Japan has extended $59 million to international aid organisations working in Jordan, including $8 million to UNICEF to assist vulnerable women and children.