RAMALLAH, March 7, 2011 (WAFA) - Representative of Japan to the Palestinian Authority (PA) Naofumi Hashimoto, Thursday attended the opening ceremony for the Japan-funded project for the construction of a new school building in Sarta, a Village south of Salfeet in the northern West Bank, said a press release by Representative Office of Japan in Ramallah.

It said the project was funded by the Government of Japan in 2011, through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Salfeet Governor, Issam Abu Baker, Head of Sarta Village Council, Issam Khatteb and representatives from the line ministries attended the ceremony.

 With the fund of $112,085, Sarta Village Council has implemented the project of constructing a three story building of 6 classrooms for Sarta Girls School, to replace the old demolished building, built in 1962, which was about to collapse based on the Ministry of Education report.

This project aims to provide safe study environment for all students and teachers in Sarta Girls School.

Hashimoto in his speech expressed that the Japanese Government is determined to continue its support to Palestinian people from human security perspective as well as from its political stands for their efforts to establish a viable independent Palestinian state and to develop capacities of local institutions in providing basic daily services to population.

Since the inception of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) in Palestine, Japan has provided funding assistance to more than 320 projects with a total value of approximately 23 million USD, which is a part of Japan’s total assistance to the Palestinians since 1993 exceeding 1.2 billion USD. 

It is worth mentioning that GGP projects have been formulated in collaboration with the Palestinian Authority through MoPAD since 2010.

T.R./F.R.