Message from the Chief Representative

Hurricane Mitch descended every region of Honduras on October 1998, causing unprecedented damage to the national economy, some $3.6 billion and taking an enormous toll on people's lives with more than 13,000 people dead or missing.

Ten years have now passed since that horrific event, indelibly impressed in the minds of the people of Honduras.

Both Japanese government and JICA have poured all of their energy toward "reconstruction" from the hurricane damage with formulating a master plan to build up the infrastructure and take countermeasures against flooding, and providing assistance in a variety of cooperation schemes.

It was "10 years after Hurricane Mitch" when the Central America/Caribbean Summit Meeting on Climate Change in 2008 was held in Honduras, and also a summit with the same focus was held in Japan. Mitigation measures against climate change including disaster prevention are imperative issues not only for Honduras but all developing nations. They must take the initiative to act on those issues. With "human security" as the fundamental principle behind official development assistance (ODA), the Japanese government and JICA will continuously provide support in recovering from and preventing disasters occurred by climatic change in Honduras.

As you may know, on October 1, 2008, JICA underwent a rebirth incorporating the Japanese ODA loan division of JBIC (Japan Bank for International Cooperation) as well as taking over the responsibility for (nearly all) grant assistance projects from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The new JICA will be expected to examine the needs in the field when planning its operations and then report on the outcome.

It should be noted that accumulative total of more than one thousand volunteers such as the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) have come to Honduras since 1976, demonstrating the long history of JICA's cooperation here. Building on the sweat, tears and memories of the people before us, we will continuously dedicate ourselves to the steady road toward a better tomorrow, a task of joy and hope.

Aiming at stability for the people of Honduras, JICA will carry on projects implementation with a range of methods and techniques to improve the security situation and strengthen the infrastructure which is frail in the wake of natural disasters such as Hurricane Mitch. We will improve the quality and quantity of safe water, and secure food supplies, education and health care services while developing solutions for unemployment.

Ten years since Hurricane Mitch landed in Honduras, JICA has undergone a transformation. We thank everyone for your support and assistance.

December 2008
Seiji Kato, Chief Representative
JICA Honduras Office