Japan hands over refrigerated trucks to Dar Abu Abdullah Association

AMMAN — The Japanese embassy on Sunday handed over refrigerated trucks to the Dar Abu Abdullah Association for Philanthropy and Development (DAA).

Japan’s Ambassador to Jordan Okuyama Jiro and DAA Director General Samer Balkar attended the handover ceremony, according to a statement from the Japanese embassy.

In March 2022, the Government of Japan extended a grant of $ 66,802 to the DAA for the provision of two refrigerated trucks under the Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Projects scheme (GGP).

The grant aims to enhance the sustainability of micro- and home-based businesses that the DAA has supported through the provision of two refrigerated trucks to the association. 

With a mission to empower the most vulnerable individuals across the country and sustain their livelihood, the DAA has helped more than 76 low-income households to establish micro- and home-based businesses such as hydroponic farming, dairy products and handicrafts, the statement said.

By providing two refrigerated trucks, microbusiness owners will be able to transport their products to the market constantly and sustainably at an affordable price, and generate more profits that will improve their standard of living. In addition, 62 per cent of microbusiness owners are women, contributing to addressing the high percentage of women’s unemployment rate.  

In his speech delivered during the handover ceremony, the ambassador expressed his appreciation to DAA’s social contribution.

“In Jordan, the high unemployment rate is a significant problem. Especially youth and women’s unemployment rates are around 30  per cent that make their labour force participation rates one of the lowest in the world. We highly appreciate that you initiated through this project to empower more vulnerable people economically and to tackle high unemployment rates at the grass-roots level,” he said.

Balkar thanked the Government of Japan and the embassy for the grant.

“This generous grant from the government of Japan will enable Dar Abu Abdullah to provide better services to beneficiaries and enhance their access to the market, leading to improving their profitability,” Balkar said.

Under Japanese Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects, Japan has extended more than $10 million for 157 projects to non-governmental organisations, schools, hospitals and local governments in Jordan since 1993.