The government of Japan pledged three Assistive Vehicles worth MVR 3,233, 065 (USD 209,667 and JPY 23,063,370) for Maldives Association of Persons with Disabilities (MAPD) to enhance the mobility of people with disabilities.
The grant contract under the Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme was signed on Tuesday during a ceremony held at the SHE building.
While Ambassador of Japan to Maldives Keiko Yanai, signed on behalf of Japan, Chairperson of Maldives Association of Persons with Disabilities Ahmed Mohamed singed from Maldives.
The Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof attended the signing ceremony as a special guest.
According to the terms of the grant contract, the Japanese government has pledged the provision of three assistive vehicles. these vehicles will have an electric wheelchair lift on the rear side for safe and smooth entraining. It can also carry up to two wheelchairs and six ambulatory passengers at a time.
According to the Embassy of Japan, the vehicles will assist both children and adults with disabilities to go to school, work and access healthcare facilities at an affordable price.
They also revealed that MAPD will implement the project with support from the Youth Ministry as well as the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services.
The GGP is part of the Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) implemented by the Embassy of Japan in Maldives in order to empower people at the grassroots level. Since 1996, the GGP has been implemented in broad areas such as education, environment, health, transportation and energy in order to contribute to sustainable development of the Maldives.
Sign In