Phnom Penh: On October 9th, 2025, the Embassy of Japan in Cambodia will hold a signing ceremony for the grant assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects “KUSANONE,” and the Government of Japan will provide US$183,588 (one hundred eighty-three thousand, five hundred eighty-eight US dollars) in total for two recipient organizations. The Grant Contracts were signed between H.E. Mr. UENO Atsushi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the representatives of two recipients, respectively, from the Police Department of Fire Prevention and Rescue, Ministry of Interior, and Borkeo Referral Hospital.
The total amount of US$120,308 (one hundred twenty thousand, three hundred eight US dollars) will be for the Police Department of Fire Prevention and Rescue, Ministry of Interior, for the Project for the Procurement of Secondhand Ambulances in Phnom Penh City, Kandal, and Preah Sihanouk provinces. The grant will be used to procure Japanese ambulances for Phnom Penh City, Kandal, and Sihanoukville Provinces. The project aims to improve emergency response in Cambodia’s urban areas, where rapid development has led to frequent fire incidents due to unsafe buildings and complex wiring. Despite having medical staff at fire stations, the lack of ambulances delays life-saving efforts, sometimes resulting in fatalities. Four ambulances will be provided to fire stations—two in Phnom Penh, one in Kandal province, and one in Preah Sihanouk province—enabling faster emergency response and care in the event of a fire. This initiative will benefit approximately 4.14 million residents by improving fire-related rescue operations and enhancing public safety.
The total amount of US$63,280 (sixty-three thousand, two hundred eighty US dollars) will be provided to Borkeo Referral Hospital for the project for the installation of medical equipment at Borkeo Referral Hospital in Ratanakiri Province. The grant will be used to install a new X-ray machine, electrocardiograph (ECG), and generator at the Borkeo Referral Hospital. Since its X-ray machine broke down in 2021, patients requiring imaging must travel 30 km to the provincial hospital, incurring high transport costs and delays in diagnosis. Moreover, frequent power outages, especially during the rainy season, further hinder treatment, as the general ward lacks a generator, forcing doctors to work with flashlights. Additionally, the hospital lacks an ECG, essential for early detection of heart conditions. By installing a new X-ray machine, ECG, and generator, the hospital will be able to provide faster and more accurate diagnoses, improving care for approximately 9,500 patients annually and reducing the financial burden on rural communities.
On the day of signing the agreement of grant assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects “KUSANONE,” H.E. Mr. UENO Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia, stated that since 1991, the Japanese Government has been providing grants in Cambodia to directly assist local authorities and NGOs implementing projects. He added that over the past 30 years, the Embassy of Japan has implemented over 700 projects across Cambodia through the KUSANONE Grants.
“Today, we will sign two grant agreements: One is the grant the Japanese government provides to the Police Department of Fire Prevention and Rescue, Ministry of Interior, for four ambulances. With the total amount of US$120,308 (one hundred and twenty thousand three hundred and eight US dollars), the project expects that it will benefit approximately 4.14 million residents by improving fire-related rescue operations and enhancing public safety.” H.E. Mr. UENO Atsushi, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia, said.
“For the 2nd project, the Japanese government will provide US$63,280 (sixty-three thousand two hundred and eighty US dollars) to Borkeo Referral Hospital for the project for the installation of medical equipment at Borkeo Referral Hospital in Ratanakiri Province. We expect the project to improve care for approximately 9,500 patients annually and reduce the financial burden on rural communities.” He added.
Japan’s “KUSANONE” projects started in Cambodia in 1991 in order 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 or misfortunes that directly threaten their lives, livelihood, and dignity, as well as to promote self-reliance of local communities. Since 1991, the Government of Japan has provided over US$72 million, mainly for local authorities and non-governmental organizations to implement 706 KUSANONE projects throughout Cambodia.
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