Signing Ceremony of the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project "The Project for Procurement of Equipment to Norwegian People’s Aid"

On 9 January 2023, a grant signing ceremony for “The project for procurement of equipment to Norwegian People’s Aid to Promote Unexploded Ordnance Disposal in Peleliu and Angaur States” under Japan’s Grassroots and Human Security Grant Aid Project (GGP) was held at the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Palau. The ceremony was attended by Ambassador of Japan ORIKASA Hiroyuki, Program Manager of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) in Palau Mr. Andrew Wyles, Governor of Angaur State Hon.Steven R.Salii and a representative from Peleliu State.
 
Peleliu and Angaur Islands were one of the most fierce battlegrounds of World War II, in which more than 20,000 Japanese and U.S. soldiers were dead or wounded, and more than 2,800 tons of bombs were dropped throughout on both islands. These ERW (explosive remnants of war) are a threat to the daily lives of the residents and an obstacle to land and industrial development, including tourism and agriculture on both islands.
 
NPA (Norwegian People’s Aid) is a Norway-based international NGO specializing in ERW treatment that has been active in Palau since 2015. In collaboration with the national and state governments of Palau, NPA has so far processed approximately 21,000 ERWs mainly in Babeldaob Island. NPA plans to start their operations in Peleliu and Angaur from this year, and is in need of two vehicles for on-island ERW treatment and one boat for transportation.
 
Based on the urgent needs for treatment of ERW in Peleliu and Angaur as well as the sincere request from NPA, the Embassy of Japan has decided to grant financial assistance for NPA to procure two vehicles and one boat through Japan’s GGP. The grant worth 209,081 USD in total is the first assistance to NPA from the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Palau.
 
At the ceremony, Ambassador Orikasa said, “I believe this grant assistance will contribute to NPA’s ERW treatment activities in Peleliu and Angaur, which leads to removal of ERW and improvement of residents’ human security and development in both islands. It is our responsibility to proceed ERW removal for the current and future generations of Palau and strengthen partnership between Japan and Palau “Program Manager Mr. Wyles said, “I am deeply grateful for the generous support of the people and government of Japan to benefit lives of all people in Peleliu and Angaur States.”
 
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999 to meet development needs in grassroots activities in Palau. The Embassy of Japan has signed 95 grant contracts with schools, hospitals, state governments and NGOs. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at https://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/about_ggp.html