The Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka, officially executed two grant contracts today under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Japanese Government. The ceremony took place at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu.
The first GGP contract, signed with Dhana Lama, Executive Director of United Mission to Nepal, aims to provide six recycled fire engines to municipalities in Koshi and Lumbini provinces. Specifically, these engines will be allocated to Khijidemba Rural Municipality in Okhaldhunga, Tansen Municipality, Rainadevi Chhahara Rural Municipality in Palpa, Sunwal Municipality, Pratapapur Rural Municipality in Parasi, and Mayadevi Rural Municipality in Kapilbastu District. The grant amount for this project is USD 259,035.
The second GGP contract, signed with Deepak Chapagain, President of Volunteer Corps Nepal, is intended to supply six recycled fire engines to municipalities in Madhesh, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces. These municipalities include Barahathawa Municipality in Sarlahi, Chakraghatta Rural Municipality in Sindhupalchok, Bahrabise Municipality, Kageshwori Manohara Municipality in Kathmandu, Godawari Municipality in Lalitpur, and Walling Municipality in Syangja District. The grant for this initiative amounts to USD 282,614.
Recognizing the scarcity of fire engines in Nepalese municipalities, the Japanese government chose to support this initiative through United Mission to Nepal (UMN) and Volunteer Corps Nepal (VCN), both organizations with extensive experience in societal service and disaster relief.
The fire engines designated for this project have a history of reliable operation and maintenance in Japan. They are expected to actively contribute to community protection during their second life in Nepal.
The Embassy of Japan is optimistic that these projects will enhance the safety of the people in the 12 municipalities and their surrounding areas, effectively addressing potential fire incidents.
