The Government of Japan has committed USD 39 million to support the International Organization for Migration’s global operations in 2026, aligning with IOM’s Global Appeal and reinforcing humanitarian assistance for vulnerable populations worldwide. The funding will help IOM respond to conflict, disaster, and complex humanitarian crises while also strengthening border management in affected countries. IOM described the contribution as an important boost for delivering rapid, people-centered support to families and communities facing urgent needs.
A significant share of the funding—up to 40 percent—will go toward Sub-Saharan Africa, where it will support displaced populations, improve early warning systems, expand access to essential services and energy solutions, and strengthen border governance. Countries expected to benefit include Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, Somalia, Rwanda, and Uganda. This regional allocation reflects Africa’s continued exposure to displacement, humanitarian pressures, and migration-related challenges.
Around 30 percent of the contribution will be directed to Asia and the Pacific, where the funds will help improve disaster risk reduction and provide durable shelter solutions in countries such as Cambodia, Fiji, the Marshall Islands, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, and Thailand. The support will also address urgent humanitarian needs in Bangladesh and Myanmar, while contributing to efforts to combat trafficking in persons across Southeast Asia. This portion of the funding is intended to strengthen both emergency response and longer-term resilience in a region frequently affected by disasters and displacement.
Beyond Africa and Asia-Pacific, Japan’s contribution will support humanitarian relief and recovery efforts in Ukraine, improve border management in Türkiye, and assist with the reintegration of internally displaced persons in Iraq, El Salvador, and Yemen. It will also help vulnerable migrants and returnees in Haiti and Venezuela. The broad geographic reach of the funding highlights IOM’s global role in responding to migration and displacement challenges across multiple crisis settings.
The contribution also underscores Japan’s long-standing partnership with IOM and its continued leadership in humanitarian and migration-related assistance. According to IOM, activities supported by this funding will be carried out in close coordination with recipient countries and partners, with strong monitoring systems in place to ensure transparency and measurable results. The organization emphasized that Japan has remained a consistent and valued donor over the years, helping ensure that life-saving support reaches people affected by crisis in a timely and effective manner.
