9 Japanese volunteers came to Nepal to help with development programs

According to JICA-Nepal, the new volunteers will be deployed in various sectors including agriculture, traffic safety, health advisors, and education.

'Each volunteer will contribute to address local needs and promote sustainable development according to their skills and perspectives', said a press release issued by JICA.

Zaika-Nepal on Friday invited representatives of government agencies of Nepal for new volunteers, An introductory program was organized with partners of international voluntary organizations and media persons.

JICA volunteers are working in Nepal to achieve one or a few of the 17 goals of sustainable development. Matsuzaki Mizuki, the newly appointed chief representative of JICA-Nepal, said at the event. They work with the people at the grassroots level, which is the most important aspect of this program.'

Facilitating friendship and partnership between Japan and Nepal is the greatest achievement of the volunteer program so far, he said.

'By introducing our new volunteers today, we hope to contribute more to the development of Nepal' he said.

A volunteer who came to join the JICA volunteer program in Nepal pledged to apply the skills he learned and make a meaningful contribution in two years.

Established in 1965, the JICA Volunteer Program has been allowing Japanese volunteers to effectively use their skills and experiences to work with local people to contribute to the country's socioeconomic development.

Volunteers live among the local population of the country they are sent to. They advance their activities by identifying development needs as well as enabling them to promote mutual understanding and friendship between Nepal and Japan.

Volunteers came to Nepal for the first time in 1970. They have been working in various fields including agriculture, health, education, fisheries, maintenance work, civil engineering, sanitation, sports and culture.

JICA's volunteer program was temporarily suspended in 2020 due to the Covid-19. It started again from July 2023 last year . According to JICA-Nepal, a total of 1,449 volunteers have contributed to the development of Nepal in the past 53 years.