Tokyo, July 26: Japan decided today to provide $ 42 million to Afghanistan as part of its efforts to support the transitional government of the war-torn country. The grant-in-aid was approved at a cabinet meeting, a government official said. The disbursement includes $ 27 million for a resettlement project for refugees and internally displaced persons.

The aid forms part of a pledge by Tokyo to provide Afghanistan with up to $ 500 million over the next two and a half years, from which a maximum of $ 250 million would be donated in the first year. Japan made the pledge in January when it hosted an international conference to support the reconstruction of Afghanistan in which world leaders promised to give $ 4.5 billion over the next five years.

Bureau Report