Region-Specific Activities and Initiatives Africa Accelerating Self-Reliance Support Projects to Bring Change and Growth to Africa

The year 2008 witnessed the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD IV) and the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit, which were held in May and July, respectively. These events placed African develop- ment issues in the limelight. Accordingly, the year saw a number of global discussions take place regarding a lot of measures aimed at eradicating and assisting economic growth in the region. Africa is still beset with a large number of issues that need to be solved. Negatively affected by the ongoing global financial crisis, the eco- nomic conditions surrounding Africa are very severe. However, the region is undoubtedly making surefooted steps toward a bright future, as evidenced by the steady increase in African ownership. JICA will join forces with the international community to support the realization of a self-reliant Africa.

Pillars of Aid Following Up and Promoting the TICAD IV Yokohama Action Plan

From May 28 to May 30, 2008, the TICAD 3. Dealing with Issues Associated with the Scale of JICA Programs by Country IV conference was held in Yokohama, Kana- Environment and Climate Changes (Fiscal 2008) Breakdown of Fiscal 2008 JICA program expenses by gawa Prefecture. (For details, see “Feature: • Formation and implementation of projects country in Africa based on the total of Technical Coop- African Development” on page 18 of this in line with the Cool Earth Partnership eration expenses, Japanese ODA loans (amounts dis- bursed) and Grant Aid (the portion in connection with report.) The Yokohama Action Plan, which While still facing such issues as poverty, low grant agreements signed, including the budgets used in was adopted at TICAD IV, prioritizes the agricultural productivity and inadequate in- activities expedited and monitored by JICA). finding of solutions to the following three frastructure, the African economy has Guinea 1.629 Cameroon 1.420 issues through the expansion of the part- achieved steady expansion in recent years, Cape Verde 1.371 Benin 1.303 nership between the international commu- enjoying increased investment from other Sudan 1.210 Gambia 1.190 nity and Africa. regions of the world following the conclu- Seychelles and 22 other countries 10.281 sion of various regional conflicts, as well as 1. Accelerate Growth in Africa surging prices for its resources, including oil • Establishment of cross-border infrastruc- and minerals. As a result, some countries on Tanzania 10.739 ture, such as transportation and energy; the African continent have achieved annual

expansion of the One Stop Border Post economic growth rates of more than 5%. Kenya (OSBP) Project (for details of the OSBP However, Africa is gradually being impacted 5.658

Project, see “Example: The Project on Ca- politically, economically and socially by the Total Mozambique pacity Building for the Customs Adminis- recent global financial and economic crisis, 77.934 4.387 (Unit: Billions of Yen) Zambia trations of the East African Region” on which could not be foreseen at the time of 4.241 page 90 of this report.) TICAD IV. Senegal 4.199 • Support for improving agricultural produc- Under these circumstances, JICA es- Angola 4.163 tivity with a focus on production, and tablished a TICAD IV Follow-up Office under Uganda Mali 3.464 Ethiopia 3.522 increasing the supply of food through the its Africa Department in October 2008. 3.516 Coalition for African Rice Development This Office is in charge of checking the ef- (CARD) fectiveness of the assistance provided Sierra Leone 2.946 Niger 2.707 2. Establishing the Concept of Human Security through TICAD IV and the commitment of Ghana 2.436 2.088 • Assistance to achieve the Millennium Devel- donor nations as well as of formulating and Malawi 2.052 Rwanda 1.773 opment Goals (MDGs) (construction of pri- coordinating JICA’s overall plans to follow Democratic Republic of Congo 1.639 mary schools, measures against infectious up on TICAD IV initiatives. Through the * Excluding amounts for cooperation provided to groups of countries and offered through international organizations. diseases, supply of safe water, etc.) launch of the new Office, JICA is now posi- • Assistance for development and recon- tioned to more accurately pinpoint and framework, JICA will take steady steps to- struction projects that contribute to re- analyze the new assistance needs of each ward the accomplishment of the Yokohama gional stability, sustainable peace and African nation in conjunction with its over- Action Plan. good governance seas offices. Leveraging such an effective Priority Issues and Efforts

Toward Fulfilling an International bling its Official Development Assis- Plan objectives adopted at TICAD IV, Commitment of Doubling African tance (ODA) to Africa by 2012, TICAD JICA is carrying out a comprehensive ODA by 2012 IV’s final year. In accordance with the examination of overall assistance needs The Japanese government announced commitment, and with due consider- to implement focused allocation of as- an international commitment of dou- ation given to all the Yokohama Action sistance resources, thereby producing

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tangible results by 2012. the entire African population depend; In line with this view, it becomes impor- Specific initiatives designed to as- and 4) the development of human tant to provide support based on the sist with the acceleration of Africa’s resources, particularly in the areas of concept of human security, which em- growth include: 1) the establishment of science, mathematics and technical phasizes that the positive influences such basic infrastructure as transporta- education, required for achieving and from assistance should be directly felt tion, telecommunication and energy sustaining growth. by individuals. Meanwhile, climate systems; 2) the construction of trade Also, empowering the people of change is inevitably generating certain and investment frameworks to drive Africa is indispensable in helping to risks in terms of Africa’s development. growth; 3) the boosting of , a keep the peace, sustaining growth and How to counter these risks is becoming sector on which approximately 70% of reducing poverty across the continent. another issue of significant importance.

Country Overviews and Priority Issues

L Kenya growth through infrastructure develop- accounts for approximately 45% of GDP Supporting Economic Infrastruc- ment, JICA is undertaking a program and approximately 40% of the country’s ture and Agricultural Development on power generation and transmission total exports. Also, about two-thirds of Fulfilling an important role as an East improvement. Also, in order to improve the domestic labor population is African hub, Kenya has been maintain- the quality of life of people living in engaged in agriculture. Tanzania has ing high economic growth since 2000. Kenya’s arid regions, JICA is imple- positioned the development of its agri- Nevertheless, the country’s economic menting a Community Agricultural cultural sector as an important initiative infrastructure, including electricity- Development Project in Semi Arid to accelerate poverty reduction and related systems, roads, ports and har- Lands (CADSAL) while promoting a economic expansion. Accordingly, the bors, has not been fully developed. smallholder empowerment program for Tanzanian government and donor In addition, the country’s agricultural income generation to support horticul- countries have been jointly implement- industry, which involves about 60% of ture and rice production. Through these ing a United Republic of Tanzania the entire population, is highly suscep- and other activities, JICA is assisting Agricultural Sector Development Pro- tible to and other climatic with Kenya’s agricultural development. gramme since 2006. Currently, conditions. Situations such as these will and other donor countries are collabo- definitely need to be addressed if the L Tanzania rating with the relevant government food supply is to be stabilized and Focusing on Agricultural authorities in Tanzania to promote the farmers’ incomes increased. With the Development to Reduce Poverty development of the agricultural sector. aim of promoting Kenya’s economic In Tanzania, the agricultural industry These government authorities are 1) the

Example JICA has conducted studies in an effort to return to and settle down in their home villages decide the direction of future assistance in North- with a sense of security, JICA is providing recon- Uganda ern Uganda. These studies revealed that the inter- struction assistance aimed at reinvigorating their Northern Uganda Rehabilitation nally displaced—believed to total approximately communities and restoring the administrative Programme two million people—are rushing back to their functions of local government. Furthermore, JICA home villages and that the living conditions in will support the development of equitable com- JICA Bridging Humanitarian Relief and these villages are extremely poor. Particularly munities, in which an increasing number of North Development Assistance, Helping the Region noteworthy is the dreadful state of road infra- Ugandans will be able to enjoy the dividends of Recover from the Chaos of Civil Wars structure, which not only interferes with ordinary peace after the civil wars. Due to the country’s prolonged civil wars, the es- social and economic activities in tablishment of social service frameworks and the and around the region, but also development of infrastructure have been signifi- hampers these people in their cantly delayed, particularly in Northern Uganda. efforts to return home and settle At present, following the deportation of antigov- down. Even after returning to ernment forces, public security in the north is their home villages, these people gradually improving. Consequently, the region’s are unable to find acceptable inhabitants are now endeavoring to return to nor- jobs and housing. These condi- mal lives. In line with the strengthening of their tions indicate that such bases of endeavors, the format of the assistance provided their daily lives as basic infra- in Uganda is changing from humanitarian relief to structure, public utilities, social development activities. Nevertheless, such assis- service systems and markets tance offered by various development assistance have yet to be established. In organizations is insufficient and has yet to satisfy response to such conditions and the country’s varied needs. in order to allow these people to A truck overturned by extremely poor road conditions

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Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security reducing poverty. The government is achieve sustainable peace in Sudan. and Cooperatives; 2) the Ministry of prioritizing the modernization of agricul- Specifically, JICA prioritizes support in Livestock Development and Fisheries; ture and the establishment of basic such areas as helping war-ravaged 3) the Ministry of Industry, Trade and infrastructures. JICA is supporting people and refugees, reestablishing Marketing; 4) the Ministry of Water and Uganda through such Technical Coop- social frameworks and providing aid for Irrigation; and 5) the Prime Minister’s eration projects as the Rice Promotion basic human needs (BHN). Office, Regional Administration and Lo- Project and the Project for Enhancing cal Government. In line with this pro- Electricity Supply. L Ethiopia gram, JICA will continue to provide Agricultural Productivity Tanzania with support focusing on: L Sudan Enhancement and policy formulation and administration; Assisting with the Achievement of Other Development Assistance water and irrigation development; hu- Sustainable Peace after Prolonged Boasting Africa’s second largest popu- man resources development; and rice Internal Conflicts lation, which totals approximately 80 production technique enhancement Sudan is the largest country on the Af- million, Ethiopia has formed an econo- and dissemination. rican continent, and a variety of ethnic my highly dependent on primary prod- groups inhabit the country, including ucts. In fact, the agricultural industry in L Uganda Arabs in the north and Africans in the Ethiopia commands approximately 85% Toward Advances in Economic south. With many intricately interwoven of all the employed, 40% of GNI and Growth problems—religious and ethnic differ- more than 90% of total exports. Thanks In the past, a series of civil wars dis- ences, regional disparities, conflicts to improved agricultural productivity rupted Uganda’s economy. After these about oil resources and struggles for attributable to the relatively favorable wars ended, the country energetically political power—Sudan had constantly climatic conditions of recent years and promoted structural adjustment poli- experienced a number of internal wars the increased use of fertilizers, Ethiopia cies to reduce the number of military even before the Second Sudanese has realized an annual economic growth personnel and government employees Civil War, which came to a close with rate of 10% or higher over the past four and to liberalize the overall agricultural the signing of a peace agreement in years. However, the country, which is product market. Through the imple- 2005. However, a series of internal con- still regarded as a symbol of poverty and mentation of these and other policies, flicts have completely suspended the hunger, is suffering from various Uganda recorded an average annual provision of education, healthcare and problems from the human security per- economic growth rate of approximately other social services over a long period spective. Accordingly, the Ethiopian 6% in the 1990s. The country has of time. Therefore, there are many re- government is prioritizing the solving of maintained the same level of growth gions where living standards are among food security issues and reducing rate ever since, and the trends in its the lowest in the world, and many poverty. In response, JICA is supporting macro economy are showing ever Sudanese are still having difficulties in the country in a number of areas, such greater stability. In recent years, the leading self-reliant lives. Hostilities are as agricultural and rural development, government of Uganda has been pro- continuing in Darfur in particular, and which includes improving agricultural moting additional economic growth the number of refugees and internally productivity, safe water accessibility, through the improvement of the coun- displaced people is persistently on the socioeconomic infrastructure develop- try’s economic management capabili- rise. In accordance with Japan’s ODA ment and education. In addition to these ties, productivity and competitiveness Charter, which embraces the basic forms of ongoing support, JICA has as well as the people’s income, in ac- principle of peacebuilding, and from the begun assisting with the development cordance with its belief that further perspective of human security, JICA is of industries other than agriculture. economic growth is indispensable for actively providing assistance to help

Example flagship produce—and a decrease in rice produc- plan preparation processes; and 3) the promotion tion, the regional economy has continued to of anti-flood measures at the community level. Kenya stagnate. Thus, the constant floods are forcing the Particularly for initiatives 2) and 3), JICA is provid- Flood Disaster Management in the people in the area to live in poverty. ing support for structuring an organization called Nyando River Basin In spite of this situation, Kenya does not the Nyando River Forum, which comprises admin- have any governmental organizations specialized istrative and academic organizations, NGOs, pri- Helping the Region Recover from the Damage in flood management and, accordingly, has not vate corporations and resident organizations. Caused by Repeated Floods been able to implement anti-flood measures. To Kenya’s Water Resources Management Agency The basin of the Nyando River, which runs through help make a breakthrough, JICA is promoting a highly values the effectiveness and importance of Western Kenya, is susceptible to constant flooding study on the integrated flood management for the Nyando River Forum. Building on this success, in the wet season. The flooding inflicts significant Nyando River Basin. Specific initiatives being related parties are examining ways to enable the harm on the inhabitants and the economy of the taken as part of the study include: 1) the prepara- Water Resource Users’ Association to continue area. The basin is recognized as an especially poor tion of a master plan for integrated flood control to operate so that inhabitants in the Nyando part of Kenya. In recent years, adversely affected in the Nyando River basin; 2) capacity building for River basin can autonomously instigate by a decline in the price of —the area’s personnel of executing organizations through anti-flood measures.

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L Zambia to Mozambique has steadily grown since L Angola Delivering Support to People in then. In 2008, JICA made progress with Helping Improve the Quality of Need assistance projects with a particular fo- Health and Medical Services Despite being surrounded by no less cus on rural areas in such fields as edu- through Human Resources than eight countries, Zambia has nei- cation, healthcare services, agriculture, Development ther been involved in armed conflict water resources, transportation infra- Following its independence from Portu- with its neighbors nor even suffered a structure as well as information and gal in 1975, Angola was plagued by civil war since gaining its independence. telecommunication technologies. Look- civil war. The Popular Movement for the Well supported by the production of ing ahead, JICA will continue to support Liberation of Angola (MPLA)* and the copper—the country’s mainstay export Mozambique in achieving further eco- National Union for the Total Indepen- product—as well as by the and nomic growth and reducing poverty. dence of Angola (UNITA)** signed a joint construction industries, the country’s memorandum covering a cease-fire economy has achieved steady growth. L Madagascar agreement, in effect ending the state of The benefits from such economic Supporting Increased Food internal conflicts after 27 years. Thereaf- growth, however, have not been equally Production and Traffic ter, progress was gradually made with distributed among all the people of Infrastructure Development the disarmament and demobilization of Zambia. This reality has manifested it- The economy of Madagascar stagnated anti-government forces, facilitating na- self in the country’s average life expec- prior to the mid-1990s, due to political tional reconciliation and reconstruction. tancy being less than 40 years and in unrest and the introduction of socialist Nevertheless, years of internal conflicts more than 60% of the entire population policies since the country gained its inde- and negligence have caused the medi- living on less than one U.S. dollar a day. pendence. In 1996, the International cal facilities and equipment to age and Moreover, HIV/AIDS prevalence among Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World have reduced the country’s medical adults has reached 16.5%, and be- Bank started extending structural adjust- workforce. Due to these conditions, cause of this and other reasons, the ment facilities to the country. As a result Angola is currently in the position of be- number of orphaned minors is believed of this financial support, Madagascar’s ing unable to provide sufficient health to have exceeded 700,000. In response macro economy stabilized to some ex- and medical care services. The Angolan to such situations, JICA is advancing tent. However, the internal conflicts that government has formulated a Five-Year an HIV/AIDS/Tuberculosis (TB) Program occurred during presidential elections Healthcare Development Plan (2005– and Self-Reliance Development Sup- exacerbated the social unrest, which 2009). Under this plan, the government port for Rural Areas. Through these and consequently impacted the country eco- emphasizes the development of human other projects, JICA is extending assis- nomically. In 2002, Madagascar finally resources and facilities required for tance to those in need in Zambia. recorded negative economic growth of healthcare and medical services. In line 12.7%. After this, the government of with the government’s efforts, JICA is L Mozambique Madagascar formulated a Poverty Re- contributing to the enhancement of Expanding the Scope of duction Strategy (PRSP) in 2003 health and medical services in Angola Assistance in Various Fields and announced “Madagascar Naturally,” through the promotion of programs In 1992, Mozambique welcomed the a national development plan, in 2004. In aimed at developing human resources end of a civil war that had lasted over 17 2006, the government consolidated all in relevant fields. years. In step with the progress and these long-term visions into its Mada- * MPLA: Movimento Popular de Liberta o de Angola consolidation of peace, Mozambique gascar Action Plan (MAP) to run from ** UNITA: União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola. The major anti-government force in Angola at achieved an annual economic growth 2007 through 2012. With the aim of con- that time. rate of approximately 7% every year in tributing to the realization of MAP goals, the late 1990s. JICA opened its Mozam- JICA is assisting the country in expand- bique Office in April 2003. The amount ing food production and developing of cooperation that Japan has provided transportation and logistic infrastructure.

Example Kenya—was first proposed through a master plan consensus among the parties concerned and in so study for the Sondu River Multipurpose Project. doing acted as a prime mover in promoting the Kenya After the proposal was made, JICA assisted with project. The new hydropower plant, which com- The Sondu/Miriu Hydropower Plant the construction by extending loans totaling menced long-awaited operations in 2008 and Construction ¥18.1 billion. After the project started, an NGO currently generates 5% of the country’s total that was concerned about the impact of the proj- generation capacity, is attracting attention as a Kenya is suffering from a serious shortage of ect on the environment demanded that it be way of solving the electricity shortages. electricity. As the Kenyan people continue to ex- halted. However, the Kenyan government and More recently, JICA has been supporting the perience frequent blackouts and many plants are Kenya Electricity Generating Company Limited Sondu-Miriu Hydropower Project Sang’oro Power forced to close down, electricity shortages con- jointly promoted the establishment of a Technical Plant. With the completion of this new power tinue to hamper the country’s economic growth. Committee, with the participation of resident project, Kenya is expected to have additional The plan to construct the Sondu/Miriu hydro- representatives, NGOs, local administrative offi- generation capacity totaling 20MW. power plant on the Sondu River—a major river in cials and experts. This committee worked to build

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L Ghana L Nigeria structure. In cooperation with the Nige- Supporting Industrial Development Providing Development Assistance rian government, JICA is assisting with and Rural Area Revitalization That Includes Primary Education economic development in the country Ghana marked the 50th anniversary of Enhancement through the implementation of primary its independence in 2007. Aiming to Nigeria is a vast country with a popula- education, the empowerment of wom- attain the status of a medium-devel- tion of approximately 140 million. en and other programs. oped country by 2015, politically and However, about 70% of the entire pop- economically stable Ghana is steadily ulation is living below the poverty line, L Senegal growing. In a country that has achieved which means that these people are Supporting Improvements in such remarkable growth, Japan is pro- leading their lives on only one U.S. dol- Health and Medical Services and viding Ghana with assistance from vari- lar a day. In addition to such a high rate Basic Education ous angles, with the ultimate goal of of people living in poverty, compared Many countries in West Africa are facing reducing poverty through economic with other African nations, Nigeria such difficulties as budget and human growth. One pillar of JICA’s cooperation shows higher gender disparity in terms resource shortages and weak organiza- involves industrial development, the of adult literacy rates, estimated in- tional structures, hindering the ability to other rural area revitalization. Specifi- comes and representation in parlia- secure safe drinking water, providing cally, from the perspective of human ment. Also, despite being the largest basic education, enhancing sanitation, security, JICA is working to complete oil-producing country in Africa and due protecting the environment and improv- groundwork that will consequently help mainly to years of military dictatorship, ing the livelihoods of small-scale farm- to reduce poverty, alleviate regional income from crude oil export is not be- ers and fishermen—all of which are disparity and achieve further economic ing appropriately distributed to the na- JICA’s priority areas of cooperation. growth. In tackling such groundwork, tion’s people. Accordingly, Nigeria has Senegal is no exception. In 2000, the JICA is promoting the Capacity Devel- not been able to reduce poverty and government of Senegal adopted a Pov- opment of Government Administration develop infrastructure to the levels ex- erty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) in the Upper West Region of Northern pected. The current administration, with the aim of halving poverty by 2015. Ghana, a region showing particularly however, has recognized seven priority In 2002, the government finalized the poor healthcare-related indicators. This issues to be addressed and is tackling PRSP, formulating PRSP II in 2007. In project is aimed at enhancing basic economic development. These issues accordance with Senegalese govern- healthcare services provided by resi- are 1) emergency energy measures, 2) ment policies, JICA is extending devel- dent health nurses and improving ac- human security with regard to lives and opment assistance to various areas, cess to basic healthcare services for possessions, 3) land reform, 4) human including the supply of safe, drinkable the poor. resources development, 5) compulsory water, health and medical services, education for children, 6) creation of basic education and food security. wealth and reduction of poverty, and 7) development of transportation infra-

Example operating under severe conditions in “isolated areas.” Zambia In the early 2000s, business Project for Participatory Village conditions for small-scale farmers de- Development in Isolated Areas teriorated significantly, due to such (PaViDIA) factors as a surge in prices of agricul- tural inputs, the abolition of govern- Isolated Small-Scale Farmers Making Self- ment subsidies and the unavailability Reliant Efforts toward Improving Their of privatized services in isolated areas. Livelihoods A Project for Participatory Village De- Located in Southern Africa, Zambia is a land- velopment in Isolated Areas was locked country. More than 60% of the nation’s launched to bring about improvements population is living in poverty, and the rate is even in such situations. Through small proj- higher in rural areas, with about 70% of the peo- ects (micro projects) in which farmers ple living below the poverty line set by the gov- themselves make self-reliant efforts, ernment. Zambia’s agricultural industry has a JICA is providing support by training Farmers taking the lead in finding and using village resources hierarchical, two-tiered structure. The lower level, agriculture extension workers who which accounts for 90% of all farming house- drive participatory development and by introduc- They can become aware of the resources they holds, consists of small-scale, subsistence farming ing sustainable agriculture technologies. have and take advantage of this produce to households; the higher level comprises medium- The principal feature of this project is that change the current situation and to tirelessly and large-scale farming households that grow residents in isolated areas assume responsibility tackle other issues. These activities may contrib- agricultural products for export. In order to reduce for promoting activities—from planning to execu- ute to the improvement of village income and the poverty in the country, it is essential to promote tion—as well as for expanding the project in the reduction of poverty. There are high expectations rural development that will be of benefit to the future. For example, some farmers may identify that the approach taken in this project will be small-scale farming households, which are and consequently commercialize local produce. applied in other disadvantaged areas.

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L Democratic Republic of Congo Reconstruction Assistance Started Regional Expansion of the One Village One Product (OVOP) Movement in Africa under New Administration Originating in Oita Prefecture, Japan, the OVOP movement—recognized by many countries as an effec- In 2007, Democratic Republic of Congo tive method for invigorating rural areas—has actually spread to Africa. In particular, Malawi launched a saw its first democratic election since it project to support an OVOP office in 2005 and has since worked to accelerate the establishment of the declared independence, and a new necessary structures and frameworks. Also, at the Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African administration was launched. The Jap- Development (TICAD IV) held in May 2008, Japan announced its intention to extend comprehensive anese government has announced its assistance to promote OVOP initiatives in Africa. To date, JICA has conducted workshops and studies in intention to provide emergency and preparation for the launch of OVOP programs in individual African countries. From 2009 onward, humanitarian aid through international JICA plans to start OVOP programs in a full-fledged manner in Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Ethiopia, organizations in eastern Congo, where Nigeria and Senegal. Also, since fiscal 2007, JICA has been inviting administrative officials from African nations to Oita Prefecture. These officials have participated in one-month training programs to learn antigovernment forces are still sparking about the OVOP movement. conflicts. The Japanese government Through the OVOP program, the people in a community utilize their region-specific resources also announced that it would extend bi- themselves to develop an original product. Due to the nature of this program, often unique products are lateral reconstruction and development created and make their market debuts. Currently, Japanese consumers do not often find African prod- aid in western Congo, which is centered ucts, but there is the possibility that unique markets handling African products will be formed on Kinshasa, the nation’s capital. In re- in Japan. sponse to these announcements, JICA Nevertheless, the OVOP program does not produce a tangible outcome in the short term. Rather, is undertaking emergency projects the success of an OVOP program hinges on long-term support as well as the community’s voluntary aimed at peacebuilding and recon- activities. Furthermore, the background and situations differ from country to country in Africa. There- struction in the country in a flexible and fore, JICA is using various approaches toward country-specific OVOP programs while working to expand timely manner. More specifically, JICA the program in Africa in cooperation with other donor countries and NGOs. has decided to apply a Fast Track Sys- tem,* under which simplified procedures are used and related organizations tackle projects as one well-coordinated workforce. In addition, in August 2007, JICA established a JICA Democratic Republic of Congo Office (JICA DRC Office). This new office has begun full- scale operations to provide assistance in three priority areas: achieving sus- tainable peace, developing Congo’s economy and enhancing availability of A range of products on view in an OVOP store A wood carving being made social services.

* A system introduced with the aim of facilitating swift planning and execution of emergency projects for peacebuilding and large-scale natural disaster relief through simplified procedures

Example dioxide, serve the planet as a kind of giant lung project—conducted in Gabon, a country located and act as a countermeasure against climate in the Congo River basin—aims to conserve biodi- A Regional Project change. Protecting them and the basin’s rich versity in the basin’s tropical rain forests through Seminar on the Protection of Tropical ecosystems are important in tackling global trials conducted on the coexistence of people Forests in the Congo Basin environmental issues. with wildlife. Through this unique project, In response to a request made at the Fourth participants also aim to scientifically understand Toward Conservation of Congo’s Tropical Rain Tokyo International Conference on African Devel- mountain gorillas and rain forests, while eco- Forest and Biodiversity opment (TICAD IV) held in Yokohama, Japan, in tourism is promoted in cooperation with residents Central Africa’s Congo River basin is second only to 2008, in fiscal 2009 JICA started to provide repre- of the basin. the Amazon in South America in terms of the size sentatives from countries in the Congo River basin of its tropical rain forest. Rich in biodiversity, the with opportunities to attend an educational pro- basin accommodates a huge variety of flora and gram on forest conservation conducted in Japan. fauna as well as such endangered species as At a seminar held prior to the educational pro- mountain gorillas and offers a wealth of food gram, African participants reported on the current sources and the means to support the livelihoods status of environmental issues in Africa, and indi- of the more than 50 million people who live there. vidual African nations expressed their hopes that However, with the expansion of farmland brought Japan would extend cooperation. Aside from this about by population growth, as well as illegal log- educational program, another Japan-led project is ging and internal conflicts, some are pointing out attracting attention. Promoted in collaboration the possibility that the Congo River basin’s tropical with the Japan Science and Technology Agency rain forests could rapidly disappear. The extensive (JST) and Professor Juichi Yamagiwa from the rain forests soak up vast amounts of carbon Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, this Mountain gorillas are in danger of becoming extinct.

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