Kabul, Afghanistan. 17 November 2020 – The Government of Japan has pledged approximately 9.4 million USD (991 million Japanese Yen) for the Livelihood Improvement Promotion in Tajik-Afghan Cross-Border Areas (LITACA) project. Mr. Yoshiaki Takahashi, Chargé d’ Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan and Mr. Abdallah Al Dardari, UNDP Afghanistan Resident Representative, signed the agreement in the presence of H.E. Mujib-u-Rahman Karimi, Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The project will be implemented by UNDP Afghanistan and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD).

“We have witnessed great results made possible by Japan’s assistance in particular under the project in two previous phases.” said H.E. Mujib ur Rahman Karimi, MRRD Minister.

“These are great long-lasting achievements, today we celebrate LITACA work and renew our commitment to continue working together for a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan.”

LITACA aims to ensure sustainable and equitable livelihoods in the cross-border areas, and will be implemented following the successful outcome of LITACA I (2014-2017) and LITACA II (2018-2020). The project in phase I and phase II have contributed positively to local economic development, and increased local employment opportunities in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. By promoting trades in the Tajik-Afghan cross-border areas and improving public infrastructure and capacity of farmers and communities, the LITACA III directly benefit 120,000 local residents in Afghanistan and 90,000 in Tajikistan.

H.E. Mr. Yoshiaki TAKAHASHI, mentioned that “we need a kind of a game changer here, and we believe livelihood improvement is the answer for getting out of the current harsh situation in this area. More job opportunities and more income by vocational training will lead to form the basis for the economic growth of this area.”

“The project will also offer opportunities to increase the skills of the local government officials, civil society and private-sector organizations to plan and manage local socio-economic development.” – Mr. Dardari, UNDP Afghanistan Resident Representative.

“Japan’s generous and continued support will help to improve the lives of rural communities, and particularly the lives of women, who live in the four provinces of Afghanistan bordering with Tajikistan, Balkh, Kunduz, Badakhshan and Takhar.”

LITACA will also invest in the construction of priority infrastructures, to support local business as a means of improving livelihoods of the target population living in the cross-border area of the country with Tajikistan.

Japan has been assisting Afghanistan’s nation-building efforts in various fields including security, infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, human capacity development, education, health, culture and humanitarian assistance. The cumulative Japanese assistance to Afghanistan since 2001 amounts to approximately 6.8 billion USD.