The Japanese government will provide grant assistance worth almost US$1 million to the Japan Mine Action Service (JMAS), according to the Japan Embassy to Laos.
According to a press release from the embassy, JMAS is a Japanese NGO working in Laos to carry out an unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance project in Laongam district, Saravan province, under the Grant Assistance Scheme for Japanese NGO Projects.
The project was officially launched at a ceremony held on June 21 in Laongam district and attended by Japanese Ambassador to Laos Ms Junko Yokota, Country Representative of JMAS Mr Junichi Kurokawa and local government officials.
Under the project, JMAS will conduct UXO clearance across a 200 hectare area in Laongam district through a private Lao company.
The land cleared by the project will be used to grow medicinal plants, which can earn farmers more money than traditional crops.
The agricultural aspect of the project will be carried out in cooperation with local farmers. It is expected the project will result in new job opportunities for local people and the improvement of farmers' living standards.
JMAS has previously carried out UXO clearance projects in Xieng Khuang province in cooperation with UXO Lao and also in Attapeu province. This is the organisation's first project in Saravan province.
(Latest Update June 22, 2011)
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