Japanese grant aid for refugees

AMBON, Maluku: The Japanese government awarded on Wednesday a total of US$540,217 (Rp 5.1 billion) in grants under the grass roots assistance scheme for projects designed to help with the transporting of refugees in Maluku and North Maluku provinces.

"The grants will also assist the development of emergency school buildings for repatriated children in North Maluku and Maluku," a statement from the Japanese government said.

The aid agreement was signed by the charge d'affairs of the Japanese Embassy Hideaki Domichi and Maluku regional government representatives on Wednesday.

"We would like to express our thanks to the Japanese government for this generous aid and hopefully this scheme will help the rehabilitation process in the Maluku provinces," Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina said. (49/edt)