Through a grassroots assistance program, Japan funds new classrooms in Aqqaba – Representative Office of Japan to the PA press release/Non-UN document

PRESS RELEASE

20^th February, 2014

Japan Supports the Children's Right to Learn by Building New Classrooms
in Aqqaba Village through Grassroots Assistance

Today, on 20^th February, 2014, the signing ceremony was held in the Representative Office of Japan to the PA in Ramallah for the project for "Expanding Six Classrooms in Aqqaba Girls' School". The contract was signed by Mr. Junya Matsuura, Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs and the Representative of Japan to the PA and Mr. Jamal Abu Ara, Mayor of Aqqaba Municipality. This project is funded by the Government of Japan through the Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

A grant of US $ 118,418 is extended for Aqqaba Municipality to construct two new floors consisting of three classrooms each above the existing school building, to accommodate around 200 students in the 1^st and 2^nd grades who are currently studying inside the village mosque. This project would ensure those children's right to learn and play in an appropriate learning environment.

Mr. Matsuura in his speech emphasized Japan's firm commitment of supporting Palestinian people from human security perspective as well as the importance of implementing social and economic development projects needed for Palestinian communities.

Since 1993 the Government of Japan has extended its official development assistance exceeding $1.4 billion, to the Palestinians. GGP projects have been formulated in collaboration with the Palestinian Authority through MoPAD since 2010.

http://www.ps.emb-japan.go.jp/PressRelease/PressRelease2014/n20February_Aqqaba.pdf