Cairo, February 11, 2014

Grassroots Assistance

Japan Assists Blood Donation Services in Greater Cairo

-The Embassy of Japan provides the Egyptian Red Crescent with a Blood Donation Car-

On Tuesday, February 11th, 2014, Mr. Naofumi Hashimoto, Chargé d'affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan in Egypt, and Dr. Mamdouh Gabr, Secretary General of the Egyptian Red Crescent, signed a contract for Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Projects at the Embassy of Japan.

The grant assistance amounting to US$118,585 is extended by the Government of Japan for the purpose of purchasing a Blood Donation car and a Centrifuge to support the blood donation services in Greater Cairo.

Promotion of health has long been the priority of Japan’s assistance, viewing health as one of the fundamentals of human security. With blood being considered a necessity in the field of health, and since the only way to obtain blood is through donation, it is the Government of Japan’s wish that this project helps save the patients in need of blood transfusion through improving the quality of the blood donation services in Cairo and providing a sufficient stock of blood.

The grant is extended under the Japanese Government’s Assistance Scheme for Grassroots and Human Security Projects, which gives support to Non-profitable Organizations and NGOs in fields such as health and social care, education, environment and vocational training. This scheme was launched in Egypt in 1994, and around 150 projects have been implemented to date, totaling about US$ 7 million. In particular, the flexibility and timely manner of the scheme has been greatly and widely appreciated.