PHNOM PENH: The Government of Japan will provide 828,546 US dollars in total for three recipient organizations under the framework, of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects “KUSANONE” Grant. The Grant Contracts were signed today between H.E. Mr. UENO Atsushi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the representatives of the three recipients, to carry out the following projects on February, 15-2024.
The Project for Mine Clearance in Three Northwestern Provinces of Cambodia with the total amount of 515,060 US dollars will be handed over to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre. This grant will be used to accelerate and improve the efficiency of mine clearance activities by installing the software for an AI-based mine action system.
Landmines have been laid still in Cambodia including developing areas for agriculture, tourism and the establishment of large-scale of a factory. Landmines have been found by the increasing economic activities in Pursat, Kampong Thom and Siem Reap provinces. This project aims to bring about a safer environment for social development and around 20 thousand residents in the three provinces by eliminating land mines in 0.96 square kilometres in total.
The Project for the Construction of the Ping Pong Primary School Building in Borvel District, Battambang Province within the total amount of 88,900 US dollars was handed over to Battambang Provincial Department of Education, Youth and Sport. In this project, a five-room school building equipped with school furniture will be built at Ping Pong Primary School in Borvel District, Battambang Province. Currently, students at this school have difficulties in studying because the current wooden school building and wooden furniture are in poor condition. This project aims to bring about a safer and more comfortable learning environment, and it is expected to benefit around 166 students through the improvement in the quality of education.
The Project for the Improvement of Post-harvest Operation of Cashew Nuts in Ratanakiri Province within the total amount of 224,586 US dollars will be handed over to Ratanakiri Provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. This grant will be used to construct warehouses and drying yards and install moisture testers and grading machines for 4 Agricultural Cooperatives in Ratanakiri Province. Currently, harvested raw cashew nuts have been sold at a low price during the plentiful harvested season due to the uninstallation of warehouses and drying yards. Moreover, farmers have struggled to maintain high quality of cashew nuts in the production process, because they don’t own moisture testers and grading machines. It is expected to benefit around 200 farmers in 4 agricultural districts by strengthening the value chain in cashew nut production as well as to improve farmers’ incomes.
Japan’s “KUSANONE” Projects started in Cambodia in 1991 to support Cambodia’s reconstruction and development at the grassroots level. The assistance aims to protect those who are vulnerable due to various factors such as poverty and misfortunes that directly threaten their lives, livelihood, and dignity, as well as to promote self-reliance in local communities.
Since 1991, the Government of Japan has provided over 69 million US dollars for mainly local authorities and non-governmental organizations to implement 691 KUSANONE projects throughout Cambodia.
Photo by: Embassy of Japan in Cambodia
