However, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW), JICA often lacks information on the political and social complications in the countries it operates in. As a result, the agency has neglected to make sure that the communities affected by disasters are actually benefiting from its aid.
"For nearly 25 years Japan has proclaimed human rights as one of its aid principles, but there is a big gap between official rhetoric and real action to make sure that rights are respected. JICA should change course and use its leverage as one of the world’s largest donors to press for human rights improvements," Brad Adams, Asia Director at HRW, said Wednesday in a letter to JICA President Akihiko Tanaka.
Earlier in February, JICA shirked responsibility for committing enough resources to understanding rights concerns. The agency claimed that the onus should be on Nepal, Liberia and other aid recipients to ensure the successful aid distribution, factoring in environmental and social complications.
JICA undertakes aid projects in more than 150 countries with approximately $8.5 billion in available financial resources.
