Press Release

Recently, Tanzania among other countries in the world, has been facing many challenges due to the Covid-19 global pandemic.

In response to this situation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), decided to join its hands with the Environmental Conservation Community of Tanzania (ECCT) and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to promote the sanitation and hygiene status among the school children of Kisarawe District, Coast Region, to reduce the risk of the spread of the dreaded Covid-19 and other infectious diseases.

On May 21, 2021, Ms. Jokate Mwegelo, the District Commissioner of Kisarawe District officially inaugurated a ‘Survey on sanitation and hygiene by handwashing in schools in Kisarawe district to prevent COVID-19 and other infectious diseases'.

In her remarks at the inauguration ceremony, she highlighted the importance of taking necessary measures to observe good hygiene behavior. She pointed out that using this project together with other platforms like the World Health Organization (WHO), Kisarawe will be able to improve personal health which could result in the overall development of the community. She explained that if we put efforts to implement this activity well, other districts in the country could emulate Kisarawe's experience and replicate such experience in their respective districts. She concluded by mentioning the slogan of the project which goes thus: "Nawa Mikono, Kazi iendelee"; which literary translates as "Wash hands so that work can go on".

As a development cooperation agency, JICA has continued to support Tanzania in various fields ranging from health, education, agriculture, infrastructure to industry. In health, JICA reiterates that it will continue to provide education on the importance of practicing proper handwashing and good hygiene behavior in order to respond to the current global pandemic, and thereby ensure that we can together get through these difficult and tough times.

District Commissioner Ms. Jokate Mwegelo (right) cutting a ribbon confirming the commencement of the project. On the left (partly cut) is Mr. Satoru Matsuyama, Senior Representative of JICA Tanzania Office

A primary school student Kisarawe District practicing proper handwashing steps

• About JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency)

It is an incorporated administrative agency in charge of administering Japan's ODA (Official Development Assistance). It is one of the world's largest bilateral aid agency supporting socio-economic development in developing countries in different regions of the world.

In Tanzania, JICA has been a long partner of Tanzania for more than 50 years in many sectors since 1962.

• For further information, please contact:
  JICA Tanzania Office, P.O. Box 9450, Dar es Salaam,
  Tel: 022-211327/30 Fax: 022-2112976
  Ms. Aoki Yu Aoki.Yu@jica.go.jp
  Ms. Rosina Apolei Apoleirosina.TZ@jica.go.jp