PHNOM PENH: Under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Program (also known as the "KUSANONE" Grant), the Government of Japan has agreed to provide a total of US $368,478 in grant funding for road and health infrastructure projects across Cambodia.

The contracts for the grants were signed on Friday by the Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, Mikami Masahiro, and the respective representatives of the recipient organizations.

A press released issued by the Japanese Embassy states that the Kep Provincial Department of Public Works and Transport will receive US $93,932 for a road improvement project in Porng Teuk commune, Damnak Changer district, and the Rattanakiri Provincial Department of Health will get US $92,305 for the Sre Angkrong Health Center Construction Project.

Additionally, US $86,623 will go to the Angkor Hospital for Children for the installation of new medical equipment in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, and the remaining US $95,618 will go to Damnok Teuk Organisation to help improve day care centers for children with disabilities at the Damnok Teuk Center in Prey Veng province.

The "KUSANONE" Grant was launched in 1991 to support reconstruction and development at the grassroots level in Cambodia. The grant aims to support the most vulnerable people, due to factors such as poverty, and to also promote self-reliance within local communities.

Since the grant’s inception in 1991, the Government of Japan has provided over US $64 million to implement 654 projects throughout Cambodia.