The grant contract was signed today between H.E. Mr. UENO Atsushi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and the representative of the recipient, Mr. Suiyasu Masayuki, Project Director of JMAS, and Dr. Iranu Shigeki to carry out the following project.
H.E. UENO Atsushi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia, stated that the Japanese government, including himself, welcomed the conclusion of the second ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand on December 27 and the return of 18 Cambodian soldiers on December 31, and Japan firmly hopes that the ceasefire agreement will be implemented in a timely manner. In addition, the Japanese government pledges to continue its efforts to promote the reduction of tensions by cooperating with relevant countries and providing various support.
He said that the grant aid for the Japanese NGOs project was launched in 2002 to support Japanese NGOs in implementing their economic and social development projects in developing countries or regions. Over the past 20 years, the Embassy of Japan has provided assistance to more than 160 projects in Cambodia through this programme, and these projects have directly contributed to improving the quality of life of the Cambodian people.
JMAS began supporting mine and unexploded ordnance clearance in Cambodia in 2002 and has since cleared many mines and unexploded ordnance in collaboration with the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC). For the project signed today, JMAS will continue to clear cluster munitions in Stung Treng province, as well as provide disaster prevention education and agricultural assistance.
“We hope that this project will help reduce the number of deaths and injuries caused by mines and unexploded ordnance, ensure the safety of people in those areas, and promote sustainable development in local communities,” the ambassador said.
“Furthermore, this effort will also contribute to achieving the elimination of cluster munitions, which is the goal of the Cambodian government,” he added.
In the second phase, Japan hopes that through human resource development and capacity building related to the clearance of unexploded ordnance, it will be possible to proceed more quickly and safely, not only in Stung Treng province, but also in other areas where unexploded ordnance remains.
In this project, JMAS will demine 170 ha of cluster munition contaminated areas while instructing the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) on efficient and safe cluster munition clearance methods. In addition, the project will provide not only landmine risk avoidance education for local residents but also agricultural technology and management for farmers.
The Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects started in Cambodia in 2002 to support activities by Japanese NGOs to help Cambodia’s reconstruction and development efforts at the grassroots level. Since 2002, the Government of Japan has provided over US$60 million for 170 projects, mainly in the fields of primary education, health, agriculture, and mine clearance in Cambodia.
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