Islamabad, The Government of Japan has committed to a grant of 794 million Japanese Yen (approximately 5.3 million USD or 1,530 million PKR) to aid in the rebuilding of educational infrastructure in the flood-hit regions of Sindh.

A formal signing for this grant took place today at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Islamabad. Among those present were H.E. Mr. WADA Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan, Mr. KINOSHITA Yasumitsu from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and several representatives from both nations.

Since June 2022, monsoon downpours have recurrently wreaked havoc, engulfing roughly one-third of Pakistan. These floods have led to an unfortunate toll of over 1,700 lives and have impacted 33 million residents. The education sector in Sindh province bore the brunt, with 66% of the nation’s total educational damage attributed to this region. The urgent revival of the educational institutions remains pivotal in ensuring uninterrupted and safe learning avenues for children.

This marks Japan’s fourth assistance grant aimed at uplifting Sindh’s educational infrastructure. Previously assisted school facilities showcased resilience against the 2022 deluge, a testament to their design inspired by insights from the 2010 floods. The forthcoming project champions the “Build Back Better” principle, with a vision of making schools less susceptible to future calamities and fortifying the surrounding communities.

The endeavour is poised to create a secure, disaster-proof academic environment by refurbishing primary institutions severely impacted by the 2022 floods. Through this initiative, Japan aims to elevate school attendance and champion gender parity in the designated zones, aligning with the objectives of SDGs Goal 4 (Quality education) and 5 (Gender equality).

At the signing, H.E. Mr. WADA Mitsuhiro voiced his aspirations, emphasizing the project’s role in preserving education continuity post any potential floods. Mr. KINOSHITA echoed these sentiments, expressing hope that this grant would pave the way for a resilient and promising future for Pakistan’s next generation. The press release was sourced from the Embassy of Japan in Pakistan.