PRESS RELEASE
BY THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN SUDAN

JAPAN EXTENDS ANOTHER BATCH OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN SOUTHERN DARFUR THROUGH LOCAL NGOS

March 5, 2008

The Embassy of Japan in Khartoum has just concluded a grant contract with Human Security Initiative Organization, a local NGO, to make it enable to distribute blankets and school supplies at the Kalma Camp in Southern Darfur State through Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects (GGHSP).

The contract was signed today by H.E. Mr. Yuichi Ishii, Ambassador of Japan to Sudan, and Mr. Osman Hassan, Director of Human Security Initiative Organization. A total of US$ 83,130 will be granted to distribute school supplies for 2,000 school children and blankets for 2,000 children and women in the IDP camp. The distribution is made in collaboration with Child Development Foundation (CDF).

In Kalma Camp, the largest IDP camp in three Darfur states, there are eight primary schools where the needs for school supplies are still high. By providing basic school supplies and blankets to disadvantaged and marginalized children and women, the Government of Japan hopes to help more children attend school and to alleviate their sufferings, as part of its efforts towards ensuring human security among Darfurians.

Japan's assistance to Darfur region has reached approximately USD 90 million since FY2004. In addition to humanitarian and recovery assistance, Japan has been assisting consultation among Darfurians through the African Union, in an effort to support the political process as well as UNAMID operation.