The Government of Japan, under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Scheme, has granted US$ 295,719 for

1) The Project for Upgrading of Sat Su Wa Village Access Road in Aunglan Township, Magway Region (US$145,870) ; and
2) The Project for Upgrading of Tat Kone Village Access Road in Aunglan Township, Magway Region (US$149,849).

The handover ceremonies of two access roads for above-mentioned projects took place in Aunglan Township, Magway Region on 5th March 2019. Mr. Keita IWASE, Second Secretary of the Embassy of Japan, U Thein Zaw, Chairperson of Magway Region National League for Democracy Executive Commitee, committee chairpersons, committee members of the construction projects, and local residents attended the ceremonies.

As the road in Sat Su Wa village became muddy during the rainy season, the residents had been struggling to transport their agricultural products and transfer patients to a hospital. In addition, more than 50% of middle school students could not proceed to high school since it took four hours to walk to the nearest school. In order to tackle these challenges, the Government of Japan, under its GGP scheme, has provided funding for upgrading the 4.8 kilometer - long road with two culverts. The project is expected to benefit 1,688 local residents.

At Tat Kone village, villagers were using an earthen road which connected to the nearest city to transport their agricultural products, transfer patients to hospitals and send students to high school. However, during the rainy season, the road became muddy and four emergency patients passed away in the last three years due to delay in treatment. In order to address these issues, the Government of Japan, under its GGP scheme, has provided funding for upgrading of the 4.8 kilometer - long road with two pipe culverts. The project is expected to benefit 3,610 local residents.

The Government of Japan has assisted 893 grass-roots projects in Myanmar under the GGP scheme since 1993, including 459 education projects, 200 healthcare projects, 140 public welfare and environment projects, 59 infrastructure projects and 35 others. This assistance is expected to further strengthen the existing friendly relations between Japan and Myanmar.