DUSHANBE, May 2, 2013, Asia-Plus – The Government of Japan has supported the humanitarian mine-clearing activities in Tajikistan.

According to Japan’s Embassy in Dushanbe, a ceremony of successful accomplishment of the humanitarian mine clearance project, “The Project for Support to Mechanical Demining Activities in the Republic of Tajikistan”, was held in the village of Kokul, Farkhor district in Khatlon province Khatlon’s province on April 30.

The project was implemented by the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action (FSD) between the year 2012 and 2013 with the entire amount of operational cost of US$212,892, provided by the Government of Japan within the agenda of Grant Assistance for the Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP).

Mr. Hiroyuki Imahashi, Ambassador, Embassy of Japan in Dushanbe and Mr. Richard Schmidt, the Program Manager and Country Director of FSD in Tajikistan along with other officials who are involved in the operations, attended the handover ceremony and exchanged congratulatory words towards the completion of the effective demining activities project.

As one of the experienced mine action implementing agencies, FSD has been a huge contributor in demining operations in Tajikistan.  In the year 2011, FSD started its mechanical operations with MV-4, a remotely controlled demining machine, with the support from Japan’s Government.  This has given a huge push to the level of clearance capacity within a set period of time.

Within this GGP funded project, a set of MV-4 running consumables was purchased to efficiently carry out the mechanical demining activities, and FSD trained, equipped, and deployed one mechanical demining team.  From March 2012 to April 2013, FSD reportedly cleared approximately 590,000 square meters of mine affected areas in Farkhor, Panj, Qubodiyon and Shahritous districts, and the cleared lands have been handed over to local authorities.  Local authorities will start rehabilitation and construction of required infrastructure of the area and these released lands mainly will be used for agricultural purpose.  It is expected that the outcome of this project will contribute not only to human security of Tajikistan but also to economic development of the areas.

Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects (GGP) is provided to local governments, educational/ medical institutions and International NGOs in developing countries. GGP supports projects in the human security sectors at the grassroots level.  GGP has extended more than US$23.2 million for 301 projects in Tajikistan.