In a move aimed at reconstructing educational infrastructure in flood-stricken regions of Sindh, the Government of Japan has pledged a grant of 794 million Japanese Yen, equivalent to approximately US$5.3 million (around PKR 1,530 million).
The commitment was solidified in a signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Economic Affairs in Islamabad on October 18, 2023.
Wada Mitsuhiro, Ambassador of Japan, Kinoshita Yasumitsu, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Kazim Niaz, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and officials from both sides attended the ceremony.
“I hope that the project this time will further contribute to creating an environment where children can continue to receive education even after the floods in the future” the Japanese Ambassador said at the signing ceremony.
JICA chief representative Kinoshita said: “We believe that the new grant aid project will build not only school buildings but also a brighter and more resilient future for the next generation of Pakistan.”
Education emergency after floods
Devastating floods, triggered by heavy monsoon rains since June 2022, have wreaked havoc across Pakistan, submerging vast swathes of the country and impacting over 33 million people. Tragically, the natural disaster has claimed more than 1,700 lives. Sindh province, in particular, has borne a substantial brunt of the damage, accounting for a staggering 66% of the total harm inflicted on the education sector.
Recognizing the urgency to ensure safe learning opportunities for children in the wake of such disasters, the Government of Japan has extended a helping hand for the fourth time to improve educational facilities in Sindh.
Japan-supported schools are more climate-resilient
The educational institutions previously supported by Japan have proven to be more resilient to the effects of heavy rains and flooding due to designs informed by the analysis of the 2010 floods. The new project will also integrate the ‘Build Back Better”’ concept, aiming to bolster the schools’ resistance to future disasters and enhance the resilience of the communities where these schools are situated.
Safe and disaster-resilient schools
The primary objective of this initiative is to establish a secure and disaster-resilient learning environment through the reconstruction of elementary schools that bore the brunt of the 2022 flood and heavy rain impact. This assistance not only contributes to raising school enrollment rates but also promotes gender equality in the targeted regions, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Quality Education (Goal 4) and Gender Equality (Goal 5).
This significant financial commitment from Japan comes as a ray of hope for the flood-affected areas in Sindh, promising to not only rebuild schools but also to empower the future of Pakistan through quality education.