Japan Ambassador to Palau Toshiyuki Yamada and Palau Red Cross Society (PRCS) Executive Director Joanne Maireng Sengebau signed the grant contract worth $70,249 intended for the project to enhance community resilience in Palau at the Japan Embassy on December 12, 2018.
The project was funded through Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan and witnessed by Chairman of the PRCS National Governing Board Santy Asanuma and related personnel.
To meet growing needs to build local capacity at the state level in Palau, PRCS has been supporting local communities to become more resilient to the impacts of disaster and climate change including severe weather events. One of their approaches is to enhance community resilience through establishment of Red Cross Disaster Management Action Teams (RDAT) in every state of Palau. RDAT members will be trained as first responders for emergency situations and strengthen community preparedness within their respective states. However, lack of proper vehicle and equipment has been limiting PRCS’s capacity to educate RDAT members and to conduct first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) trainings to local residents in Babeldaob.
To facilitate aforementioned disaster preparedness activities, the Embassy of Japan decided to grant a 4WD pick-up truck and equipment including a satellite telephone, hand-held radios and AED. These items will enable PRCS to provide training and appropriate services to vulnerable populations. Moreover, the pick-up truck will be fully equipped and suitable for assessment of status of remote area during and after disasters.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Ambassador Yamada expressed his hope that the implementation of this project would contribute to enhancement of community resilience and further development of Palauan people.
The Government of Japan launched GGP in 1999, for the purpose of responding to various development needs engaged in grassroots activities in Palau. As of December 12, 2018, the Embassy has signed 74 grant contracts with schools and hospitals as well as state governments and non-profit organizations. Education, health care and environment are the primary fields prioritized by Japan for GGP in order to contribute to sustainable development of Palau. For further information about GGP, please contact 488-6455. (PR)