Cairo, March 28, 2017

Grassroots Assistance

Japan Assists Project for Supporting Self-reliance for Vulnerable Refugees and the Egyptian Local Populations of 6th of October City, Giza
     

On March 28th of 2017, Mr. Takehiro Kagawa, Ambassador of Japan to Egypt and Ms. Rasha Maati, Executive Director for Fard Foundation, signed a grant contract for Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots and Human Security Projects. Ms. Rasha Arous and Ms. Nermeen Aziz also attended the ceremony from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in Egypt.
The grant assistance amounting to US$213,983 is extended by the Government of Japan to Fard Foundation for the purpose of improving self-reliance and livelihoods of vulnerable refugees and Egyptian residents in the refugee host communities in the city of 6th of October by offering opportunities of vocational trainings in home renovation business including carpentry, plumbing, electrical works and tiling, as well as soft skill trainings which enhance their employability and/or capacity to manage their own small-scale business.

At the grant contract signing ceremony, Ambassador Kagawa expressed his respect and appreciation for the foundation’s dedication in a support of marginalized populations including refugees. He stated that Japan is committed to contribute to a stabilization of the Middle East and assistance for refugees. He mentioned that Egypt is generously hosting a big number of refugees and that projects benefitting both refugees and host communities are essential. He expressed his wish that this project would bring various actors on board and activate a local network in order to connect the skill trainings and a local job market. Ms. Maati expressed gratitude for Japan’s support and agreed with Ms. Arous’ statement on the importance of working hand by hand with all the possible actors to maximize their collective efforts to strengthen the refugee host communities’ self reliance and social cohesion.
This grant is extended under the Japanese government’s assistance scheme for Grassroots and Human Security Projects, which provides support to non-profitable organizations in fields such as health, social care, education, environment and vocational training at a grassroots level. This scheme was launched in Egypt in 1994, and around 160 projects have been implemented to date, totaling about US$ 8 million.