The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial support totalling US$ 360,950 (approx. Rs. 36 million) to four Pakistani NGOs, Ameer Begum Welfare Trust, Al-Mujtaba Development Network, Community Development and Anti TB Program, and Obaid Noor Welfare Association for the implementation of social development projects in disadvantaged areas of the country. The agreements for the four projects were signed on February 16, 2015, at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Islamabad, between H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and the heads of the four organisations.
Ameer Begum Welfare Trust will utilise its grant of US $ 82,282 for the installation of 6 water filter plants in rural areas of District Okara that are suffering from a high prevalence water borne disease due to the unavailability of safe drinking water. The grant of US $ 78,833 to Al-Mujtaba Development Network will be used for the improvement of the water supply and sanitation system in a remote part of District Muzaffarabad. The grant of US $ 98,138 to Community Development and Anti TB Program on the other hand will enable the construction of a village road in District Narowal, in order to enhance community accessibility of facilities in the town center. Finally, the grant of US $ 101,697 to Obaid Noor Welfare Association will result in the construction of a maternity and emergency hospital in a neglected part of District Mianwali.
At the signing ceremony, Ambassador Inomata emphasised the importance of improving access to health, water and infrastructure facilities particularly in rural areas of the country. He expressed his hope that the projects supported today will contribute to Pakistan’s goal of eliminating rural and urban disparities in term of essential facilities which in turn can contribute to sustainable local development. In doing so, these projects would certainly strengthen the friendly relations between the people of Japan and Pakistan.
Last week agreements for three other projects in the field of education were signed. In addition, agreements for eight other projects on education, health and infrastructure were signed in September and November, 2014. Hence, the amount the Government of Japan provided to Pakistani NGOs during the current Japanese Fiscal Year (which starts in April) adds up to US $ 1,386,114 in total.
Note: The Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) Programme is an initiative of the Japanese government with the belief that, in consideration of the enormity of the challenges being faced by the world today. Since it began in 1989, the GGP Programme has supported more than 330 projects in Pakistan, with a contribution of more than 2.3 billion Japanese Yen.
<http://www.pk.emb-japan.go.jp/JapanPakistanRelations/GrantAssistance-new.html> |
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