Japan’s GGP Grant to School Hand-Wash Stations for COVID-19 Response, Phase 2
2021/12/13
Japan Hands Over 27 Hand-Wash Stations at schools in Babeldaob and Outlying States
On December 10, 2021, His Excellency KARASAWA Akira, Ambassador of Japan handed over 27 hand-wash stations to Ministry of Education. The handover ceremony for “The Project for Facilitating Hand-Wash Station to Schools in Babeldaob and Outlying States” was held at Melekeok Elementary School and attended by the Honorable Dale Jenkins, Minister of Education, the MOE Management Team, Principals of schools, Students of Melekeok Elementary School and Head Start Center, and many guests.
The medical facilities in Babeldaob and Outlying States are limited and it is not easy for people to access the National Hospital. Therefore, the prevention of contagious diseases such as COVID-19 is critical in these communities. Many parents, teachers and community people are worried about their children/students at schools since the schools are one of the place where many people gather and would be a place for cluster cases start. Although more than 90% of population have been vaccinated in Palau according to the MHHS’s report, it still needs to continue preventive measures against the virus.
Considering this situation, the Embassy of Japan decided to install 27 hand-wash stations at 14 schools including the private schools in Babeldaob and Outlying States under the Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The project’s cost was $135,580.00.
This is the phase 2 of the hand-wash stations project. Combined with the phase 1 of the project in Koror and Airai, 89 hand-wash stations has been installed at 28 schools in total. Almost all schools from day care to high school now have hand-wash stations where students can keep their hands clean and prevent contagious diseases. The hand-wash stations are located in various places in each school so that students can easily access and keep their hands clean whenever they need to.
At the ceremony, Minister Jenkins expressed his appreciation to the Government of Japan and also all people who are involved in making this project possible. He also encouraged students and teachers to keep the hand-wash stations clean and neat to show their gratitude. Ambassador Karasawa expressed his hope that this project will provide a safe environment in schools to protect children, their families and all people in Palau.”
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. As of December 10, 2021, the Embassy has signed 88 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations to contribute to sustainable development of Palau. 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 .
Signing Ceremony for “The Project for Facilitating Hand-Wash Station to Schools in Babeldaob and Outlying States”
On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, Ambassador KARASAWA Akira of the Embassy of Japan, and His Excellency President Whipps signed a grant contract for “The Project for Facilitating Hand-Wash Station to Schools in Babeldaob and Outlying States”, under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Education and was witnessed by MOE officials and related personnel.
There have been no COVID-19 cases in Palau until today and the mass vaccination is going on quite smoothly, and it is expected that most of the people in Palau will be fully vaccinated by coming summer. However, it is important to continue the preventive measures from the virus, even though the vaccination would be a huge help for COVID-19 response.
One of the most effective ways to prevent COVID-19 and other contagious diseases is hand-washing. The problem is that the students in Palau have very limited access to hand-wash stations at their schools, even though they are encouraged to wash their hands these days. Hence, the Embassy of Japan has decided to provide hand-wash stations to the schools in Palau for the health of their students.
This signing ceremony took place for the second phase of Japan’s hand-wash station project. In the first phase of the project, the Embassy of Japan announced that the hand-wash stations would be provided to the schools in Koror and Airai States. And now, the second phase is targeting the schools in Babeldaob and outlying states where the access of the medical facilities is limited and the school can be a cause of mass outbreak. The 26 hand-wash stations will be installed at 14 schools (3 head starts, 10 public elementary schools, 1 private high school) in 10 states and the cost is $135,580.00. This means the total cost of Japan’s hand-wash station project is $405,565.00 and 76 brand-new hand wash stations will be installed in total through the project.
At the ceremony, Ambassador Karasawa mentioned that the construction of the hand wash stations provided through the phase one would start in March, and conveyed his hope that the phase two construction would start in a few months from now. He also delivered his hope that this project would help students in Palau to maintain good personal hygiene and establish hand-wash habit to prevent not only Covid-19 but other contagious diseases. President Whipps conveyed his appreciation to the Government of Japan for many GGP assistances granted for education over many years. Furthermore, he stated that the Government of Palau is looking forward to working with the Government of Japan to strengthen our partnership.
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. As of February 25, 2021, the Embassy has signed 84 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations. Education, health care and environment are the primary fields prioritized by Japan and its GGP. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Embassy of Japan website at http://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html .