Japanese Government awards $1.2M for Humanitarian Demining in Sri Lanka

The Japanese Government has awarded the sum of US$ 1,248,046 in grant aid for humanitarian demining in Northern Sri Lanka under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP).

The ‘Project for Humanitarian Mine Action for Livelihood Recovery in Northern Sri Lanka’, implemented by the Mines Advisory Group, (MAG) will recieve US$ 591,447 and a further sum of US$ 656,599 has been allocated to the ‘Project for Peace Building through Demining in Northern Sri Lanka’ implemented by Delvon Assistance for Social Harmony Sri Lanka (DASH). This funding will contribute to the efforts of the Sri Lankan Government in making mine-contaminated areas safe so that people can return to them.  

Japan has been a major donor in support of mine clearance activities in Sri Lanka, in order to accelerate the safe return and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and to provide assistance that will enable them to rebuild their lives, and undertake work in agriculture and other sectors. Since 2003, the Japanese Government has provided a total of US$ 27 million for demining activities in the North and the East of Sri Lanka under its Grant Assistance schemes.

The two Grant Contracts were signed by Gregory Secomb, the Country Director of MAG and Ananda Chandrasiri, the Demining Programme Manager at DASH, respectively, as well as by Nobuhito Hobo, the Japanese Ambassador,  on the 27th of January 2014 at the Ambassador’s Residence in Colombo.

Gregory Secomb, Country Director of Mines Advisory Group noted that MAG was extremely pleased to receive Grant Assistance for its Grassroots Human Security Project, which was announced by the Japanese Embassy in January 2014.

Ananda Chandrasiri, the Demining Programme Manager from DASH noted that the mine and unexploded ordance (UXO) problem in Sri Lanka had been drastically reduced due to the invaluable assistance of the Japanese Government and other governments donating to demining activities in Sri Lanka. Ms Chandrasiri also highlighted the commitment of the Sri Lankan Government, demining operators and other mine action stakeholders in the country to the removal of mines and UXOs.

Source: http://www.news.lk/news/sri-lanka/8293-japan-extendsrs160mn-for-humanitarian-demining-in-northern-sri-lanka