Jordan Times
Monday, March 29, 2004
Japan awards grant for Aqaba Gulf cleanup
AMMAN (JT) — The Japanese government has awarded
a $39,000 grant to the Jordan Royal Ecological Diving Society (JREDS) to be used
for cleaning up the Gulf of Aqaba.
The grant agreement was signed yesterday by JREDS Executive Director Fadi
Sharaiha and Ambassador of Japan to Jordan Koichi Obata, according to a
statement released by the Japanese embassy.
Japan is aware of the importance of environmental issues in Jordan. Aqaba
encompasses a special economic zone as well as a tourist resort, the statement
said.
However, increasing amounts of trash can be seen in and around the port city and
the marine environment in the Gulf of Aqaba is deteriorating because of the
garbage, the embassy said.
It is imperative to save the marine environment by cleaning up the Gulf of Aqaba,
but excellent diving skills are necessary for cleanup operation in order to
avoid any damage to sea creatures underwater, according to the statement.
JREDS, a nongovernmental organisation established in 1995 for the purpose of
conservation, rehabilitation and enhancement of the marine ecosystem in Jordan,
is now ready to join such a cleanup operation.
The grant will support the society to develop divers' skills and raise awareness
among the people to keep the Aqaba Gulf clean, the embassy said.
Within the framework of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects, Japan has
extended grants to the Kingdom amounting to $4.7 million since 1993 — mainly to
nongovernmental organisations, schools, hospitals and local governments.