Government of Japan and UN-Habitat Sign Exchange Note on the Grant Aid Project to Strengthen Disaster Resilience of Major Medical Facilities in Iran

 On February 20 2026, in Nairobi, Ambassador Hiroshi Matsuura of the Permanent Mission of Japan and Executive Director Anaclaudia Rossbach of UN-Habitat signed the Exchange of Notes to formalize the Project for Strengthening Disaster Resilience of Critical Medical Infrastructure (BEHTABIII), amounting to 910 million Japanese yen (approximately US$5.81 million).

1. Iran faces significant damage from earthquakes and floods, with over 40% of medical facilities built more than 50 years ago before seismic standards established, and over 60% of them located in earthquake-prone areas. Climate change has also brought new challenges such as heatwaves, energy demand increases, water shortages, floods, dust storms, and air pollution, making seismic and climate adaptation urgent priorities.

2. This project will pioneer earthquake resistance and climate adaptation work in existing hospitals and incorporate the results into national guidelines and plans for nationwide implementation.

3. Since 2017, The Government of Japan has been supporting disaster preparedness, including seismic upgrades, in collaboration with UN-Habitat. This project will build on past experience to further enhance resilience against emerging risks. The Government of Japan and UN-Habitat will continue cooperating to strengthen Iran’s disaster resilience.