The Maldives Association of Persons with Disabilities (MAPD) has received three assistive vehicles, valued at USD 209,667 from H.E. Mrs. Takeuchi Midori, the Japanese Ambassador to the Maldives, as part of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP). The ceremony was held last Tuesday, 15th August, 2022.
The assistive vehicles were donated in accordance with the Grant Contract dated March 16, 2021, signed between the Japanese Embassy in the Maldives and MAPD. This initiative is crucial to ensuring that individuals with impairments have access to social, educational, and employment opportunities as well as safe and affordable access to health care. The car is a Toyota Hiace GDH322R with room for two wheelchairs and a capacity of seven seats.
The chairperson of MAPD, Ahmed Mohamed described the assistive vehicles as not just vehicles but a ray of hope, paving way for athletes for an easy transfer for their training. Her Excellency Mrs. Takeuchi Midori Keiko, believes that this project will greatly benefit people with disabilities, their families, and society as a whole, fostering inclusion.
The Managing Director of Housing Development Corporation, Suhail Ahmed and Minister Ahmed Mahloof, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment were additionally present at the signing ceremony.
The GGP is a component of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) that the Japanese Embassy in the Maldives is putting into place to empower local residents. Since 1996, the GGP has been put into action to support the Maldives' sustainable development in a variety of fields, including education, the environment, health, transportation, and energy.