ODA Topics 2
30 Years of Spreading the Seeds of Smiles throughout the World
–Grass-Roots Grant Assistance Human Security Projects
This character appeared at Global Festa JAPAN 2017 exposition held in Tokyo, prior to the 30th anniversary of Grass-Roots Grant Assistance. The cute character holds a blade of grass in its paw and brings smiles to people around the world.
Q What do you think Grass-Roots Grant Assistance Human Security Projects is?
A Grass-Roots Grant Assistance Human Security Projects are a way that Japan supports people in developing countries forced to live in life threatening or severe conditions.
Q How does Japan support people with these grants?
A Japan supports people in many ways such as building elementary/junior high schools, installing medical equipment at hospitals, and digging wells. It also gives developing countries fire engines, and ambulances that were used in Japan to recycle them. I'll explain to you more about the recycling in a minute!
El Salvador: The “Project for Improving Elementary School in Los Zapes Hamlet of Izalco,” FY2016
Q You can see from the pictures that Japan supports people in various ways.
How many countries is Japan supporting specifically?
A 141 countries and one region are targeted for assistance
Q Japan supports that many places? That's amazing!
When did this assistance start?
A It started in 1989. The year 2018 is the 30th anniversary. In 1989, Japan supported 95 projects in 32 countries and provided grants of about ¥300 million. In 2016, Japan supported 822 projects in 122 countries and one region and provided grants of about ¥9.2 billion. You can see that our assistance grew quite a lot over the 30 years.
Q Do you know exactly how Japan provides the assistance?
A Japan provides assistance through many different organizations working at the grass-roots level to provide community-based support. For instance, Japan supports local and international NGOs, local public organizations, educational institutions, and medical institutions. Our assistance deals with many different needs through flexible support.
Q Wow, it is amazing, isn't it!?
A Let me explain more about the recycling I mentioned. I'll tell you all about how Japan provides support by recycling fire engines and ambulances.
Q Japan provides assistance by providing fire engines and ambulances originally used in Japan to countries and regions overseas that need them. For instance, Japan helps pay the repair and shipping costs of these fire engines.
Kenya: The “Project for Reusing Secondhand Fire Engine in Nairobi City County,” FY2015
A I can see that lots of fire engines and ambulances from Japan are being reused overseas! Japan has the culture of “Mottainai,” which signifies an aversion to wastefulness. It is engraved in our culture to take care of things well, like recycling. This mindset is helping people overseas, too!
(Website for Grass-Roots Grant Assistance : http://www.mofa.go.jp/mofaj/gaiko/oda/shimin/oda_ngo/kaigai/human_ah/index.html)