Online Reporter
Online Reporter
JAPAN has committed about US$145 000 towards two grassroots initiatives aimed at improving education and healthcare services for vulnerable communities in Zimbabwe.
The funding, provided under Japanese Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme, will support projects in Harare and Chipinge District targeting vulnerable children, orphans and refugees.
Agreements for the projects, valued at a combined US$145 307, were signed in Harare on March 4 between Japan’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Nobutaka Maekawa and representatives of the implementing organisations.
Speaking at the signing ceremony on Friday, Ambassador Maekawa said the programme is a key component of Japan’s Official Development Assistance that supports grassroots initiatives designed to address community needs.
“Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects programme is one of the important Japanese ODA schemes to financially support local organisations’ initiatives for vulnerable people,” he said.
Since its introduction in Zimbabwe in 1989, Japan has funded 167 projects through the programme, supporting community development initiatives across the country.
In Harare, the organisation Chiedza will receive about US$61 469 to construct a classroom block for vulnerable children and orphans in Mbare.
The project will expand the capacity of the Chiedza Child Care Centre, enabling it to enrol an additional 80 children.
In Chipinge district, the Organisation for Public Health Interventions and Development will receive approximately US$83 838 to renovate a clinic and provide medical equipment at Tongogara Refugee Camp.
The clinic serves about 12 800 refugees and surrounding communities but currently lacks adequate admission facilities and essential equipment.
Once upgraded, the facility is expected to serve around 24 000 patients annually, including newly arriving refugees requiring health screenings and treatment.
