On February 24, 2017, Ambassador of Japan Toshiyuki Yamada and Kayangel State Governor Midas Ngiracheluolu signed a $63,560 Grant Contract to improve environmentlal health in Kayangel State under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) .

In Kayangel State, there are countless old rotten trees throughout the island because of Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. These rotten trees cause problems as these trees became places to breed Coconut Rhinoceros Beetles (Chermel A Lius) that damage crops and farms including coconut and banana trees. Kayangel State currently does not own any heavy equipment and has no means to remove the rotten woods.

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Through “The Project for Improving Environmental Health for Kayangel”, one backhoe will be granted to Kayangel State Government. This is the first time for Kayangel State Government to receive a GGP grant from Japan. The backhoe will be used to get rid of old rotten woods and help the State to secure a safe living environment for the community. In addition, this project will enable Kayangel State to increase capacity of waste disposal by promoting separation of garbage and improving waste management system of Kayangel State.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Yamada stated that through the project, it is expected that the backhoe would be used efficiently and maintained for a long period of time. Furthermore, he expressed his hope that this project would contribute to further development of Kayangel State and wellbeing of its residents.

The Signing Ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan and witnessed by Kayangel State Council of Chiefs, Legislators, and State staff.
Since Japan launched the GGP in 1999, the Embassy of Japan has signed 67 GGP projects (as of February 24, 2017) to assist development at the grassroots level in Palau. The GGP’s focus areas include education, health care and environment, and its eligible recipients are nonprofit organizations and educational institutions, as well as local state governments.

For further information about the GGP, please contact 488-6455 or visit the Japan Embassy website at

http://www.palau.emb-japan.go.jp/En/index.html. [/restrict]