About 1,000 Palestinian children flew kites Sunday to mark the first anniversary of Japan's earthquake and tsunami.

The event was organized by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to show solidarity with Japan.

A devastating earthquake hitting Japan on March 11, 2011 triggered a tsunami and a nuclear leak at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, resulting in 19,000 victims lost or missing.

"Japan has given us many donations. It gave us houses, schools and many facilities," said Ahmed Taha, a child who took part in the event held in southern Gaza Strip near a Japan-funded housing project for thousands of displaced Palestinian families.

The event was supposed to be held a week ago, but was delayed due to four days of deadly exchange of fire between Israel and Gaza militants.

Japan has been a main supporter of the UNRWA, which cares for millions of Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.