KATHMANDU: Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, Kikuta Yutaka signed two grant contracts under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) of the Government of Japan for the provision of a total of 12 recycled fire engines.

The signing ceremony was held at the Embassy of Japan in Kathmandu today.

The GGP contract with Dhana Lama, Executive Director of United Mission to Nepal was signed to provide six recycled fire engines to six municipalities — Khijidemba Rural Municipality of Okhaldhunga in Koshi Province, Tansen Municipality, Rainadevi Chhahara Rural Municipality of Palpa, Sunwal Municipality, Pratapapur Rural Municipality of Parasi, and Mayadevi Rural Municipality of Kapilbastu District in Lumbini Province with a grant of USD 259,035.

Similarly, the other GGP contract with Deepak Chapagain, President of Volunteer Corps Nepal is to provide six recycled fire engines to Barahathawa Municipality, 8) Chakraghatta Rural Municipality of Sarlahi in Madhesh Province, Bahrabise Municipality of Sindhupalchok, Kageshwori Manohara Municipality of Kathmandu, Godawari Municipality of Lalitpur in Bagmati Province, and Walling Municipality of Syangja District in Gandaki with a grant of USD 282,614.

In Nepal, only a few municipalities own fire engines.

Considering this situation, the Japanese government decided to support 12 recycled fire engines through UMN, which is one of the oldest NGOs serving the society for 70 years, and VCN, which continues to specialize in disaster relief including fire.

The fire engines to be provided by the projects have been faithfully operated and maintained throughout Japan.

These fire engines will play the active role in protecting the communities in Nepal as their second life.

The Embassy of Japan believes that these projects will contribute to the safety of the people in the 12 municipalities and their surrounding areas against fire incidents.