Press release

The Government of Japan Provides Assistance worth US$ 261,980 to Three Pakistani NGOs For Social Development Projects in Haripur, Mardan and Fisalabad

Islamabad: 17th March 2016

PRESS RELEASE N0: JPNEMPAK 16-14

The Government of Japan has extended financial support to three social development projects for under-privileged communities, totalling US $ 261,980. The projects will be implemented by three Pakistani NGOs, Beer Development Society, National Integrated Development Association, and Tanzeem-al-Lissan. The agreements for the projects were signed on 17th March 2016 in Islamabad, between Chargé d' Affaires ad Interim of the Embassy of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr. Junya Matsuura and the heads of the three organizations.

The NGO Beer Development Society will utilize its grant of US $ 81,171 for the installation of water filtration plants and pavements of roads in UC Beer, District Haripur. The project is expected to provide safe drinking water to approximately 6,190 individuals in 6 villages of the selected district; and around 3,768 individuals, total population of 3 villages in the same district, are expected to benefit from the new pavements.

NGO National Integrated Development Association, on the other hand, will utilize its grant of US $ 83,450 for the construction of vocational training center for the women in UC Shamozai of Tehsil Katlan in District Mardan. Once constructed, the project will help in delivering skill trainings of embroidery & tailoring. Priority will be given to the most marginalized under-privileged females of the district.

The grant of US $ 97,359 awarded to organization Tanzeem-al-Lissan will enable extension of an institute for intellectually, developmentally & physically challenged children called Al-Masoom Centre in Faisalabad, Punjab. The NGO was previously provided financial assistance worth US$ 122,833 by the Government of Japan in January 2013 for construction of a new block of the same institute where 260 children are registered at present. The current grant is provided to extend the same facility by constructing an additional block in order to address the increasing demand and lack of capacity. The new block will enable the institute to enroll nearly 200 more challenged children.

Mr. Matsuura, at the signing ceremony, expressed commitment of Government of Japan for helping under-privileged community. He then further assured continuous support for water facilities, skills training and special education; and hoped that the projects signed today would certainly strengthen the friendly relations between the people of Japan and Pakistan.

Government of Japan has provided US $ 430,032 in total to Pakistani NGOs in the current Japanese Fiscal Year (April 2015 – March 2016) under the GGP program. More projects for the current fiscal year are in pipeline to get assistance.