Japan Gives $1 Million in Grants

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
11 December 2008

Japan announced Thursday nearly $1 million in grants to help improve Cambodian agriculture, health and demining operations.

Of that, more than $165,000 would go toward the rehabilitation of reservoirs and irrigation in Kandal and Takeo provinces; more than $87,000 toward the construction of a science laboratory in Prey Veng province’s Regional Teacher Training Center; more than $570,000 for mine clearance in Pailin and Battambang province; and nearly $80,000 for the construction of an emergency ward and medical equipment.

“Please use our assistance effectively, and we ask for transparency and accountability of your activities,” Japanese Ambassador Shinohara Katsuhiro said. “We hope that our assistance is used effectively and contributes to the Cambodian people.”

Japan contributes to non-governmental organizations, local governments and educational and health institutions, Katsuhiro said.

The grants come following the announcement of nearly $1 billion in aid to Cambodia from foreign donors earlier this month.

“This assistance will benefit more than 285,000 people for emergency treatment in Kratie referral hospital, more than 74,000 science students in Prey Veng province, around 1,100 families in Kandal and Takeo provinces, and help more than 2,000 villagers be free from the threat of landmines in northwestern Cambodia,” said Chor Phoeun, president of the Cambodian Medical Services Support Organization.

Chun Peng Long, director of Kandal provincial department of water resources and meteorology, said he would ensure the projects were “properly managed and successfully implemented.”