On Thursday May 20, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Tajikistan Takayuki Miyashita attended a handover ceremony of successful completion of “The Project for Improvement of Drinking Water System in 5 Villages in Zaynabobod Jamoat, Roudaki District.”

According to the Japan Embassy in Dushanbe, the project was implemented within the framework of Japan’s “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)”.  The Government of Japan reportedly provided a USD 86,100 grant to the Affiliate of Oxfam GB Association in Tajikistan for installing pipelines for drinking water and a water storage tank.  The project was implemented in 5 villages: Oli Somon-1, Oli Somon-2, Iqbol-1, Sharaf-3 and Kishovarz villages.

Prior to the project implementation, residents of these five villages have reportedly used river water which do not correspond to the sanitary requirements and because of that, many people were suffering from infection diseases that increased the mortality rate of local people, especially children and aged people.

Upon the project implementation around 7,000 people of these five villages have access to safe drinking water.

During the ceremony, Mr. Miyashita made the following remark: “Water is life!  Clean water is a key for a quality life. This project will provide clean and safe drinking water to the residents and will prevent them from waterborne diseases.  Thank you the Oxfam for your excellent work in constructing this wonderful water supply system. I hope the whole system will be maintained properly and will contribute to the well-being of the population.”

Along with the local residents and representatives of local government of Roudaki District, the handover ceremony was also attended by Ms. Shovcat Alizadeh, Country Director of Oxfam GB in Tajikistan, Ms. Salome Steib, Country Director, SDC in Tajikistan, Mr. Ilgar Ibrahimi, Officer-in Charge of the OSCE Programme Office in Tajikistan and Mr. Azizullo Ismatzoda, Chairperson of Roudaki District.  The attendees in turn extended their words of gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for their support.

The Government of Japan is dedicated to continuing its support for creating a better society for all people and committed to working together with the people of Tajikistan.

“Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project” (GGP) is a scheme within Japan’s Official Development Assistance.  GGP in particular implements grassroots-level projects in various sectors throughout the Republic of Tajikistan.  Recipients of GGP grants include local governments, educational and medical institutions, and NGOs.  As of today, GGP has supported 421 projects in the Republic of Tajikistan, for which US$ $34.0 million has been allocated since 1996.