Japanese assistance amounts to over USD 44 mn for such operations

Two new mine clearing projects

Japan this week provided additional USD 729,925 (approx. Rs. 238 million) for Mines Advisory Group (MAG) and the HALO Trust engaged in mine clearing operations in former war zones, according to a statement issued by the Japanese Embassy.

The grant contracts for two new demining projects under “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)” were finalized on Monday (27).

Since 2002, Japan has provided over USD 44 million for mine clearing operations.

It is expected that these projects by MAG and HALO will together contribute to resettlement and livelihood support for a total of 10,977 IDPs (internally displaced people) in the Northern and Eastern provinces, the Embassy said, adding that the development of the conflict-affected areas is one of the priority areas of Japan’s official development assistance policy to Sri Lanka.