February 27:    The Government of Japan has provided US dollars 624,770 (Rs 71.70 million) to Peace Winds Japan under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects. The fund will be used for implementing a project on improving water access and agricultural income in Sindhupalchowk district, according to a statement issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.

According to the statement, Peace Winds Japan, an international NGO based in Japan, will work with Nepali partner NGO, the Institution for Suitable Actions for Prosperity (ISAP), to implement the project in Sunkoshi and Melamchi Municipalities and Balefi Rural Municipality.

The grant contract for the project was signed and exchanged between Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Saigo Masamichi and Yamamoto Yuko, country representative of Peace Winds Japan, at the Embassy of Japan in Nepal on February 27.

The grant will be used to enhance the people’s living condition by improving water access and through income generation from agriculture.

“It will build and renovate safe drinking water facilities in all three municipalities that were badly affected by the 2015 earthquakes. It will also work to enhance the income of the people through agriculture production and marketing support,” the statement added.

The Embassy of Japan in Nepal said it expects the project to contribute towards poverty reduction by improving water access and agriculture incomes and also serve as a good practice for replication in other districts in Nepal. The Embassy also expects the project to contribute to the cordial friendship between the people of Japan and Nepal.