January - February, 2011 Vol. 11-01

Japan to provide new ambulances for Bhutan for emergency medical service

On Jan 25, 2011 at Damphu, Tsirang Mr. Karma Tshiteem, Secretary of Gross National Happiness Commission and Mr. Tomoki Nitta, Resident Representative of JICA signed the Grant Agreement and Record of Discussions for the project “Replacement of Ambulance” in the presence of the Honorable Prime Minister Lyonchhen Jigme Y. Thinley. Under the project the Government of Japan agreed to provide new equipped ambulances upto a maximum of Japanese Yen 161,000,000 to 0 for timely delivery of emergency medical services.

JICA schemes

Grant Aid

Loan

Technical Cooperation Projects

Training Programmes

Development Studies

Emergency Disaster Relief

Follow-up Cooperation

JICA members in Bhutan asof August 2010

(7 internationals; 9

nationals)

JICA target areas in Bhutan

Agriculture and Rural

development

Infrastructure development

Local governance

Social services development(health, education and IT)

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) signed a Memorandum of Understand-ing on January 28, 2011 for the project on “Solid Waste Management Project in Phobjikha Valley”.

RSPN will be the implementing agency of the project while JICA will provide compost machine and technical expertise for the installation of compost machine, training of trainers in operation and management of compost machine and training of local community in the management

The project is expected to institutionalize and strengthen solid waste management system in Phobjikha valley.

website. It serves to better link all JICA Bhutan partners by offering briefs and current news on different sectors of JICA and the RGoB.

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Signing of “Solid Waste Management Project” with RSPN

For more information

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)P.O. Box 217, Doy-bum Lam, Above Memorial Chorten,Thimphu, Bhutan

Newsletter Team

Emi Doyle, Project Formulation AdvisorKinley Dorji, Senior Programme OfficerZangpo, Technical Officer (General Affairs)Tshering Palden, Program Officer

Exhibition on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was held from 1 Dec to 7 Dec 2010 at Thimphu city library and 20 Dec to 22 Dec, 2010 at the Harmony Youth Village auditorium hall, where the JOCVs are currently working. The exhibits are donated by Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum

It was organize by 3 JOCV’s ; Ms. Hiromi Ichikawa JOCV working at the Dept. Of Youth, Games & Sports, Mr. Zentaro Yamaji, Librarian at Thimphu City library and Mr. Kenta Kunimoto, Architect at the Ministry of Health. The purpose of such exhibition was to let the youth know about Peace and violence. During the exhibition movies such as “Road of History in Japan, Testimony of Hiroshima and Grave of the firefly were screened every day. The activities consists of Japanese calligraphy and Japanese paper craft called Origami where they made cranes and to fold armor and swords

Mr. Tomoki Nitta, Resident Representative donated books about ATOMIC BOMB for both City Library and Harmony Youth Village.

These books namely “BAREFOOT GEN” are MANGA that is written about victims and their lives after bombing.

News in Brief

♦ JICA office welcomed Mr. Hidetaka Sakabe who joined JICA office as the Assistant Resident Representative from 21 March 2011. Mr. Sakabe was the Deputy Director of Economic Infrastructure Departure before coming to Bhutan and has visited Bhutan several times in the past as member of project team for various Grant Aid projects.

♦ Mr. Tomoki Nitta, Resident representative, Mr. Kunihiro Shiraishi, Project Formulation Advisor and Mr. Kinley Dorji, Sr. Programme Officer attended the Mid Term Review of Tsirnag Dzongkhag 10th Five Year Plan on January 25, 2011 at the invitation of Gross National Commission.

♦One Short-term volunteer completed her assignment in Bhutan and left for Japan on 17 February, 20111. Ms. Kasumi Ishida, Architect, Division for Conservation of Architectural Heritage, Department of Culture, MoHCA

♦Six JOCV’s completed their two years assignment in Bhutan and left for Japan in January, 20111. Mr. Koseki Yusuke, Trainer in Plumbing Skills in Project Implementation Unit, DHR, MoLHR2. Mr. Toda Kenji, Trainer in Electrical Skills in Project Implementation Unit, DHR, MoLHR3. Mr. Arata Shigemichi, P.E Instructor in Drugyel Lower Secondary School, Paro4. Mr. Inagaki Hitoki, Elementary Education in Wangdue Lower Secondary School, Wangdue 5. Mr. Kosuke Ota, PE Instructor in Gedu Higher Secondary School, Gedu, Chhukha6. Mr. Yamaji Zentaro, librarian in Thimphu City Library, City Corporation, Thimphu

♦Nine new long term Senior Volunteers and JOCV’s arrived in Bhutan for their two years assignment on 7th January, 20111. Mr. Takanobu Asano, JOCV , Architect for Division for Conservation, Dept. of Culture, MoHCA, Thimphu. 2. Ms. Maki Kawakami, JOCV, NICU Nurse for Mongar Regional Referral Hospital, Mongar.3. Ms. Chieko Enomoto, JOCV, Art Instructor for Deaf Education, Drugyel Lower Secondary School, Paro.4. Ms. Hiromi Kohori, JOCV, Nurse for Community Health Unit in Phuntsholing Hospital, Phuentsholing.5. Mr. Masamichi Taguchi, SV, Water & Sanitary Engineer for SPBD, Dept. of School Education, MoE, Thimphu.6. Mr.Takashi Tashiro, SV Crop Agromist for Bajo RNR-RDC, Wangdue.7. Mr. Yoshinori Katano, SV, Food Processing & Product Development Officer for National Post-Harvest Center, Paro.8. Mr. Akio Kashiwagi, SV Solid Waste Management Expert for Solid Waste Section,Thimphu City Corporation, 9. Mr. Naoshi Narita, SV, Construction Industry Advisor/ expert for Construction Development Board, Thimphu

“HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI PEACE FESTIVAL”

Tel: (975) 2-322030, 323218, 328074, 324571,324463

Fax: (975) 2-323089

Website: <http://www.jica.go.jp/bhutan/index.html>