News in English     | 07.03.2019. 21:24 |

Government of Japan provides funds for demining and education projects in BiH

FENA Vanja Tolj

SARAJEVO, March 7 (FENA) - The Government of Japan has decided to provide grant aid amounting to 412,480 Euro (approx. 806,700KM) for one project for support of demining in Vitez, and two projects for rehabilitation of primary schools in Foča and Zenica.

The signing ceremony of the grant agreements took place today at the Embassy of Japan in Sarajevo.

As the Japanese Ambassador to BiH, Hideyuki Sakamoto said, the Government of Japan will allocate 271,029 euros (about 530,087 KM) for demining project in Vitez.

“Although more than 20 years have passed since the war in BiH, mines pose a serious threat to the security of the population, and also prevent the country's social and economic development. Demining is a complex and demanding task that requires close cooperation between different stakeholders in society,” Sakamoto said during today's signing of the agreement at the Embassy of Japan in Sarajevo.

The demining project will be implemented by Enhancing Human Security (ITF)), which is a humanitarian, non-profit organization of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, in close cooperation with BHMAC and the local community.

The project is co-financed by the US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the amount of around 15,800 euros.

Sakamoto stressed that by implementing the project a total of 225,400 square meters of contaminated area in Vitez will be cleared and handed over to the local population for use.

Acting Director of the BiH Mine Action Center (BHMAC) Saša Obradović emphasized that Japan is one of the largest donors in BiH in the field of mine action, and that the donation will be used for four demining projects in the Municipality of Vitez.

Obradović added that he believes that BiH can fulfill the obligations determined by the adoption of the State Mine Action Strategy 2018-2025, that is, to become a mine-free state by 2025.

Approximately 80,565 euros (approx. 157,572.11 KM) was approved for the renovation of the Skender Kulenović Primary School in Zenica, and the approved funds will enable the replacement of school windows of window frames and doors.

Since the founding of the school in 1978, windows have never been replaced. Because the school facilities are seriously damaged for the ageing, it is caused problems especially in loosing comfortable temperature and safety of students at school rooms. Thanks to this donation, around 970 students, teachers and staff will benefit from it.

The Project for Rehabilitation of Sveti Sava Primary School in Foča is granted 60,886 euros (approx. 119,081.61 KM). The granted fund enables to replace school floors, water pipelines, and toilets for Sveti Sava Primary School in Foča.

Because the facilities are seriously damaged for the ageing and affected by floods in 2010 and 2014, it is caused problems especially in loosing safety of students at class rooms and hygiene environment at school. Thanks to this donation, around 750 students, teachers and staff will see the benefit.

The Government of Japan attaches great importance to the improvement of essential sectors including education, health care, and demining in Bosnia and Herzegovina under the scheme of Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GAGP) which started in 1996.

The total amount reached over 18 million euros (approx. 35 million KM) for the past 22 years, and the fund is utilized for construction, reconstruction, equipping facilities and demining activities for 80 projects in education and 20 projects in demining across the whole country.

This year, Japanese Government is going to support, under the GAGP, 8 projects in BiH, worth approx. 720,000 EUR, including these 3 projects.

 

(FENA) S. R.

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