[28/August/2010]

SANA'A, Aug. 28 (Saba) – Yemen signed on Saturday an agreement for a Japanese grant worth $ 6.7 million in aid to the war-refugees in Saada.

The grant was signed at the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation by Deputy Minister Hisham Sharaf and Japan's ambassador in Sana'a Mitsunori Namba.

The sum would be used for purchasing wheat and distributing it through the office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Saada and 11 other provinces.

After the signing, Sharaf appreciated the Japanese aid to the relief operations in the north as he said Yemen hopes other countries would initiate and provide financial aid to bridge a $ 70-million gap in funding for meeting requirements of the refugees from the last war in Saada by the end of year.

Sharaf and Namba also discussed ways to boost the bilateral cooperation between Yemen and Japan in all areas.

Sharaf also presented an official request to the Japanese government for a new grant for the public health sector and providing equipment for primary schools and spare parts for the electricity stations in the south.

Namba said his country is ready to continue supporting Yemen as he praised the level of cooperation between his country and Yemen.

FJ/FR
Saba