His Excellency Mr. Shiro Shadoshima, Ambassador of Japan with representatives of Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO),Women Job Creation Centre (WJCC) and Ms. Yumi Takahashi, JICA volunteer

　The government of Japan has decided to extend two grant assistance totaling US$ 245,630 (approximately Taka 2 crore) through Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGHSP). The grant contracts have been signed between H.E. Mr. Shiro Sadoshima, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh and representatives of two recipients at the Embassy of Japan today.

　Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) was established in 1988 to work for livelihood & skill development, health, education, water and sanitation, nutrition, mother and child health care services etc. Under GGHSP, ESDO received US$ 122,724 (Tk 9,817, 928) for construction of two-storied building as child hospital in Thakurgaon. This project, which JICA volunteer Ms. Yumi Takahashi brought to Embassy’s attention, will provide health care facility to the children’s of the marginalized family of that region and will reduce child mortality rate. It is expected that through this project about 45,000 infants and children will receive health care per year.

　Women Job Creation Centre (WJCC) was established in 1990. WJCC has been creating employment opportunities specially for socially excluded women and religio-ethnic communities to give them dignity, income and access to services. Under GGHSP , WJCC received US$ 122,906 (Tk 9,832,510) for ‘The Project for the Establishment of District Food Processing Center for Rural Women Development in Tala’. This project will provide skill training and a venue for hygienic production of food and spice preparation for 420 wom en who will form a cooperative and will be able to have alternative source of income.

　The Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGHSP) began its operation in 1989 and has been contributing to social development at the grassroots level. In Bangladesh, a total number of 176 projects have received the grant amounting to US$ 13,426,771(Approximately Taka 110 Crore).