Japan contributes US$5M to Women’s Disaster Management project in Guyana

[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE5dDugyBc0?autoplay=1″ width=”560″ height=”315″]

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, February 15, 2018.

The Government of Japan on Thursday handed over US$5M to the Ministry of Finance, to fund a project document which aims to strengthen women’s disaster management capacities in Guyana and Dominica.

The three-year project will be administered by the United Nation’s Development Programme (UNDP).

Hon. Winston Jordan, Minister of Finance collects signed document from Mikiko Tanaka, United Nations Resident Coordinator.

At the signing ceremony, Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan explained that the funds will provide assistance to persons affected by climate-related issues, especially those in the hinterland.

“The project will focus, primarily, on women, who, perhaps, are the most vulnerable section of the population that is exposed during droughts, floods, hurricanes and other severe weather conditions.”

The Finance Minister further explained that the grant will be used to assist in building the capacities of women, in both Guyana and Dominica, to influence and shape the trajectory of their lives and the lives of their families, as it relates to recurring climate-related disasters.

“In keeping with this focus, the activities have been designed to ensure that the agricultural sector is boosted to build the institutional capacity of women and men. It will also provide access to finances to ensure that investments made in the sector are sustained after the project would have ended,” Minister Jordan said.

Signing the exchange of notes on behalf of his government, Deputy Head of the Mission of the Embassy of Japan, Hon. Yoshinori Yakabe said his country will continue to support developing countries affected by climate change.

Deputy Head of the Mission of the Embassy of Japan, Hon. Yoshinori Yakabe hands over signed document of the exchange of notes to the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka.

“Due to the importance of the agriculture sector to national development, food and nutrition security, poverty reduction and livelihood opportunities, it is imperative that these nations are equipped with the knowledge to ensure the security of their primary sector,” Counsellor Yakabe said.

He explained the project will focus on addressing vulnerabilities of women and indigenous people.

According to United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator, Mikiko Tanaka, the project is in keeping with several aspects of the government’s sustainable development goals and will complement its current disaster risk reduction in agriculture projects.

In 2015, the government implemented the Agriculture Disaster Management Plan, out of which came the circulation of the Farmers’ Monthly Bulletin. The bulletin allows for proactive mitigation, preparedness and relevant responses by farmers, communities and other agricultural personnel to disasters.

Additionally, the UN representative, on behalf of Panasonic Incorporated Japan, donated some 120 solar lanterns to the Public Health and Education Ministries.

Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry expressed gratitude to the company and stated the lanterns will benefit many persons in the hinterland regions.

“The Ministry of Education would have selected 13 residential schools and centres from Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight and Nine to receive these lanterns,” Minister Henry said.

It was explained that the Panasonic Company is celebrating its 100th anniversary and the initiative comes as part of Japan’s Private Sector’s engagement in helping developing countries.

Collette Adams, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health collects solar lanterns from Mikiko Tanaka, United Nations Resident Coordinator.

Vibert Welch, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education collects solar lanterns from Mikiko Tanaka, United Nations Resident Coordinator.

 

Signing ceremony for the strengthening disaster management project of women in Guyana and Dominica.

 

By: Crystal Stoll

 

For more photos, click on the link to the DPI’s Flickr Page

https://www.flickr.com/photos/142936155@N03/

CATEGORIES
TAGS