The Government of Japan decided to extend total up to US$ 237,607 (approximately Rp. 2 billion) under the Grass-Roots/Human Security Grant Asistance Scheme for 3 (three) projects which will be implemented in East Nusa Tenggara by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs). The grant contracts were signed on 1 August 2003 between H.E. Mr. Yutaka Iimura, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Indonesia and representatives of three NGOs.

    In early April this year, natural disaster such as floods and landslides severely hit East Timor district, Sikka district and Ende district in East Nusa Tenggara Province. As a result of this natural disaster, approximately 480 houses/buildings were destroyed and hundreds of people are still in severe conditions.

    Through the grassroots/human security grant assistance, food, educational equipment will be provided to the affected people, and also damaged elementary schools and fishery facilities will be rehabilitated. The Embassy of Japan sincerely hope that the humanitarian assistance provided by the government of Japan will be used effectively and efficiently for the benefit of local people in order to normalize their life as soon as possible.

    The main purpose of the Grass-Roots/Human Security Grant Assistance Scheme is to assist NGOs, local governments as well as governmental institutes which implement various projects at the grass-roots level. Under this scheme, grants may be used for, in principle, buying equipment, constructing building and rendering services for implementation of a project.

Appendix