09 February 2005	Wednesday	29 Zilhaj 1425

ISLAMABAD, Feb 8: The government of Japan on Tuesday extended a grant of $386,247 to two non-profit organizations for their water supply and healthcare schemes through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects.

According to a press release issued by the embassy of Japan, the agreements for these projects were signed by Nobuaki Tanaka, the Ambassador of Japan, and the representatives of the organizations in Islamabad.

Under the first project aimed to improve drinking and irrigation water supply at Karimabad in Hunza, a grant of $336,643 will be given to the Town Management Society of the Karimabad.

The society was established in 1994 and has earlier executed two social and physical development projects through Japanese support of around $658,636.

Under the current project, the society will lay pipelines and construct water reservoirs for drinking and irrigation purposes. Moreover, the existing water supply system using two principal water sources - mainly seasonal glacial melt water and secondly a meagre share in Ultar Glacier water which lasts for only a few months in summer - will be improved.

Around 8,500 residents of Karimabad will directly benefit from the project as it will ensure supply of clean drinking water and substantially decrease workload on women and children responsible for fetching water.

The water will also be available for irrigation throughout the year, thus increasing agricultural incomes.

Around 15,000 foreign and domestic tourists visiting Karimabad each year will also benefit indirectly from the project, which further promote tourism in the future.

Under the second project, $49,604 would be provided to the Women's Christian Hospital in Multan for improvement of its services.

The hospital was established in 1899 and has played a commendable role in the field of medical services. On an average, around 150 patients daily visit the hospital from across the country. The Japanese assistance will enable the hospital to replace various old and obsolete medical equipment, especially those for treating obstetrics and heart diseases. These facilities will make it possible for the hospital to cater to the needs of its 45,000 outpatients and 6,000 inpatients per annum.

Another component of the project is to upgrade and expand the telephone exchange of the hospital to help it work more efficiently and cope with emergency calls.

Since 1989, Japan has extended a sum of $10,803,857 to 214 small-scale social sector development projects all over Pakistan.