On 20 March 2012, Mr. Yoshiaki Ito, Minister and Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Japan in Ethiopia, signed three Grant Contracts for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) at the Embassy of Japan with the Voice of Wilderness Developmental Organization from the Afar Region, represented by the Executive Director, Ato Beletew Mengesha, the Ethiopian Orthodox Crruch Debresina Kidus Egziabherab Church, Addis Ababa, represented by the Deputy Manager, Ato Getachew Zerihune, and the South Omo Zone Water, Minerals & Energy Department from the SNNPRS, represented by the Head, Ato Losinde Lognasuwa. The total amount of funding extended was USD 327,127.  

Following the signing ceremony, the 8th for the GGPs in the Japanese Fiscal Year 2011, Mr. Ito remarked that all projects are conducive to the empowerment of vulnerable and marginalized people and urged project partners for timely implementation.

The first project for the Komame Secondary School and Girl’s Dormitory in the Semu-Robi Gelealo Woreda, Afar region, with funding of USD 106,289, aims to promote opportunities for secondary education in the Woreda by constructing a school block and a student dormitory near the school. Through this project, approximately 100 students finishing primary school in this area will have opportunities for further study and girls’ enrollment in secondary education is expected to increase.

The second project is another educational project which intends to expand the Northern Mountain Saint Egziabherab Church Primary School in the Gulelle Sub-City, Addis Ababa, with USD 109,969. The existing school blocks can only accommodate students from KG1 to grade 2, and there is a great need from the community to upgrade the school to grade 8. In order to meet the demand, this project will construct 2 school blocks fully furnished. In addition, the project will construct a water supply scheme within the school compound. With this project, the School will become a full-cycle primary school and around 410 students will enjoy receiving adequate education in an appropriate environment every year.

The third project will renovate an existing water system at the Kangaten Village in the Nyangatom Woreda, South Omo Zone at a cost of USD 110,869. Though there is the existing water system which was built over 15 years ago, it needs to be fixed. In the village, most of the residents have no choice but to use unsafe water from rivers, leading to water-borne diseases. It is hoped that this water supply system will benefit 1,850 residents in the Kangaten Village so that they can enjoy safe water, be relieved from the heavy duty of fetching water and also avoid the risk of water-borne diseases.

The Government of Japan has placed priority on human security for the vulnerable and marginalized people in society, and the GGP has played a valuable role to help such people throughout Ethiopia. Since 1997, over 300 projects have been implemented under this scheme in such sectors as education, water supply, health services, and other basic human needs.