Japan To Use Sdf Planes For Ukrainian Refugee Relief Aid
Japan's government plans to use Air Self-Defense Force aircraft to transport supplies to countries near Ukraine that are hosting people fleeing the Russian invasion.
The plan was outlined at a meeting of the main governing Liberal Democratic Party on Tuesday. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees requested the transport of relief supplies.
The UNHCR says more than 4.9 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, which are now said to be running short of daily items to support the evacuees.
Under the plan, C2 transport planes or other ASDF aircraft will be dispatched once a week from late April, for a total of about 10 flights.
The aircraft will transport blankets and other supplies stockpiled in India and the United Arab Emirates to Poland and Romania.
These flights will be conducted as humanitarian relief activities under Japan's International Peace Cooperation Act.
It will be the sixth time for SDF aircraft to transport relief supplies under the law. The previous mission was staged in 2003 to support Iraqi evacuees.
The government hopes to gain prompt Cabinet approval for the planned operation.