JAPAN HANDS OVER NEW SHELTER FACILITIES TO SAMOA VICTIM SUPPORT GROUP

(PRESS RELEASE); The Government of Japan once again reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the basic concept of “human security” through its Grant Assistance for Grass-Roots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) officially completed two new shelters through a handover ceremony that was held earlier today (3 June 2021) at the Campus of Hope, Tuanaimato. The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Samoa, District Court Judge, Her Honour Talasa Atoa-Saaga, members of the diplomatic corps, partners and staff of SVSG.

SVSG received a grant of up to USD$193,400 (approximately SAT 477,000) in last December for a project for construction of two new shelters for victims of abuse. The shelter for domestic violence victims is named Sakura House which means cherry blossom in Japanese while the shelter for girls is named Asahi House, which means sunrise or morning sun.

Japan’s GGP aims to support small-scale projects directly benefitting the grass-roots level as well as contributing to the socio-economic development of the Independent State of Samoa.

As part of the international concerted efforts, Japan is pleased to support an organization that provides integrated, personalized and professional services to the survivors and victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse in Samoa.

It is hope that the new shelters will provide strength, hope, healing and new beginnings for the lives of the victims and to ensure their protection under the services of the SVSG.

The Government of Japan welcomes the opportunities to further work in partnership with non-governmental organisation with a view to advancing human security and community development projects at grass-roots level.