January 14, 2008
 Japan's Assistance For the Construction of Community Development Center (CDC) of JAAN
|
The Government of Japan has decided to extend financial assistance of eighty four thousand, seven hundred and thirty-seven US Dollars (US$84,737), equivalent to approximately five million, three hundred and twenty-nine thousand Nepalese Rupees (NRs.5,329,000) to JICA Alumni Association of Nepal (JAAN) in Japan's FY 2007. The assistance has been extended to JAAN under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme of the Government of Japan.
A Grant Contract to this effect was signed and exchanged today between His Excellency Mr. Tatsuo MIZUNO, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Mr. Chandi Prasad Shrestha, President of JAAN on the occasion of latter's Annual General Assembly.
The Grant will be utilized for the construction of a three-story building consisting of 12 rooms and a storage room. It will also cover the cost for procurement of furniture for the Center. Out of the total project cost of approximately 9.3 million Nepalese Rupees, JAAN will bear around 41% of the cost. JAAN will use the Center exclusively for organizing community development activities through mobile medical camps and awareness raising activities in collaboration with local schools and community based organizations in the remote villages around the Kathmandu Valley. Various skill trainings and medical services will also be organized in the premises of the Center.
Even in the Kathmandu Valley, there are still areas which don't have access to basic facilities, and it has been difficult for the local people residing in those areas to receive any support although the areas are close to the capital. In this respect, JAAN's contribution to the community development through its diverse social activities by mobilizing its rich expertise is laudable.
JAAN was established in 1973, and since then it has been functioning as a Center of expertise for Nepalese people through various kinds of training schemes in Japan implemented by JICA.
The Government of Japan has been assisting Nepal in its efforts to alleviate poverty and achieve sustainable economic development. Yet, there is a need to improve various kinds of socio-economic conditions in the country in order to achieve these goals. Thus, it is expected that the Center will play an important role in providing services which contribute to an improvement of the livelihood of Nepalese people. This Grant, extended today, is geared towards this goal.
On the occasion, H.E. Mr. MIZUNO expressed his expectation that the Center will prove a hub of technical services, meeting the various needs and expectations of the vulnerable people residing in the rural area. He further expressed his hope that the project will play a symbolic role in further strengthening the existing cordial relationship between Japan and Nepal.
|
|
