An Inauguration ceremony for a project for the Construction of a Delivery Ward in Bole Sub-City, Addis Ababa, took place on Saturday January 29, 2011.  The project was funded by the Japanese Government through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme with USD 92,847, and implemented by a local NGO named Aba Woldetensae Gizaw Mothers and Children Welfare Association.

Dr. Kumiko Ito, Counsellor of the Embassy of Japan, celebrated the completion of the project, together with the Exective Director of the Aba Woldetensae Gizaw Mothers and Children Welfare Association, Mr. Zenebe Mamo, government representatives of Bole Sub-City, as well as members of the community.

In Ethiopia, the shortage of safe and appropriate places for the delivery of babies leads to the high mother-infant mortality rate.  Even in a big city like Addis Ababa, delivery wards or maternal medical care are not always available, particularly for underprivileged expectant women.  Those who cannot afford to go to clinics or hospitals are forced to give birth at home or sometimes on the street without having regular medical checkups and supervision of experts, which puts a heavy burden on the mother’s body as well as increasing the risk of contracting infections.  In order to improve this situation, the Embassy of Japan has supported the construction of a delivery ward in Bole-Sub City, which will ensure a safe delivery environment for more expectant women, including poor women.

Since 1997, the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia has supported over 270 Grassroots Human Security Projects throughout Ethiopia, in education, water, agriculture, health and other areas of basic human needs.  The Government of Japan has continued to support a variety of projects at the grassroots level for the marginalized and vulnerable people in the population.