Japan gives Aid to Africa
Japan has entrusted the UNDP $7 million to assist in maintaining sustainable peace in African countries. The UNDP will continue to promote peace through conflict prevention and peace building in The Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Sierra Leone. Each of these regions are balancing a fragile peace which needs to be strengthened. One important project that UNDP is working on in these countries is to stop the trade of illicit small arms. This is a major problem in many African countries by having rebel groups or individuals purchasing small arms and creating conflict and instability in the area. In the case of Sierra Leone, much of the funds will be going toward equipment and training for a freely elected democratic government. Each initiative is very important to maintaining peace. The contributions from the government of Japan are part of their 2003 Tokyo International Conference on African Development.
