Signing the agreement for the implementation of the Third Phase of Livelihood Improvement Promotion project in Tajik-Afghan Cross-Border Areas (LITACA)
The third phase of the livelihood development project in the border areas begun in presences of H.E. Mujib Rahman Karimi, Acting Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Mr. Yoshiaki Takahashi, Chargé d’ Affaires ad interim of the Embassy of Japan in Afghanistan and Mr. Abdallah Al Dardari, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Afghanistan,
The project will be implemented by UNDP and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in partnership with the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development. 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, this new LITACA will directly benefit 120,000 local residents in Afghanistan and 90,000 in Tajikistan. H.E. Mujib Rahman Karimi, MRRD Acting Minister remarked: “We have witnessed great results made possible by Japan’s assistance in particular under the Livelihood Improvement in Tajik-Afghan Cross-Border Areas (LITACA) in two phases. JICA, MRRD, UNDP and our communities have turned Japan’s generous donation with sustainable economic development innovations into a long-lasting platform and great module in improving the living standard of rural people and facilitating the cross-border trade, dialogues with bordering communities of Republic of Tajikistan to 3rd phase of LITACA which I am really thankful. 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.” H.E. Mr. Yoshiaki Takahashi, Chargé d' Affaires ad Interim, Embassy of Japan said: “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.” Mr. Abdallah Al Dardari, UNDP Resident Representative said: “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
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. UNDP would like to thank the Government of Japan for its generous and continued support. Their contribution 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.” 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.
