Japan to provide Afghanistan over $122m this year

KABUL (Pajhwok): Japan announced on Monday giving Afghanistan more than $122 million for humanitarian and development programmes in 2021.

The aid is a vigorous step forward in realising Japan’s pledge at the Geneva Conference in November 2020, the Japanese embassy said.

A statement from the embassy said the $122.2 million contribution formed a part of Japan’s assistance to Afghanistan to be disbursed in 2021.

The aid will enable implementation of 17 humanitarian and development assistance projects orchestrated by various organisations throughout the country.

“Enhanced security sector plays an essential role in the Afghan-led nationbuilding as we gaze at peace on the horizon,” Japan’s ambassador to Afghanistan said.

Okada Takashi Our added: “Continuous contribution to the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan (LOTFA) exemplifies Japan’s commitment to a peaceful Afghanistan.”

LOTFA is a significant multi-donor programme that plays a vital role in strengthening the country’s security sector.

“We truly hope that this new support will contribute to bringing about as many joyous smiles of Afghan people as possible,” the diplomat commented.

With the upcoming disbursement of 122.2 million, cumulative Japanese assistance to Afghanistan since 2001 will amount to 6.9 billion, the statement concluded.

pr/mud

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