Japanese government, Association for Aid and Relief Japan sign K5 million grant contract

The Japanese government has signed a K5 million grant contract with the Association for Aid and Relief Japan for the implementation of the livelihood support project in Meheba local integration area in Kalumbila district.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at the Japanese embassy in Lusaka, Japanese Ambassador to Zambia Hidenobu Sobashima says the grant assistance will help provide necessary agriculture inputs such as tools, seeds and fertilizer to eleven self help groups consisting about 24 families.

Mr. Sobashima says the project will also support the families with transportation of produce to the market as well as promote information sharing and networking.

And AAR JAPAN programs coordinator, Kazune Takahashi says the organisation came up with the project after the realization that most residents in the re-settlement area are not able to gain meaningful earning through agriculture which is the main and common way of earning a living.

Ms Takahashi says the refugees who have re-settled in the area face difficulties due to many factors such as lack of equipment, adequate information and knowledge and poor access to markets.                  

Meanwhile, director of the department of re-settlement in the office of the vice president, Andrew Banda is optimistic that the project will greatly contribute to enhancing the livelihoods of the targeted communities.