March, 2016 | Vol. XII No.3

Japan International Cooperation Agency

Evacuation Mock Drills for GLOF and Rainstrom Flood Conducted

JICA schemes Grant Aid ODA Loan Technical Cooperation

Projects Training Programmes Development Studies Emergency Disaster Relief Follow-up Cooperation Volunteers Program

JICA target areas in Bhutan Agriculture and rural

development Infrastructure development Local governance Social services

development (health, education and IT)

JICA members in Bhutan as of March 2016 JICA office staff: 19(8

Internationals; 11 Nationals) Experts: 7 Senior Volunteers: 10 JOCVs: 17

Departure of Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan Office

JICA Bhutan Newsletter is a monthly newsletter published by the JICA Bhutan Office and updated electronically on the JICA Bhutan website. It serves to better link all JICA Bhutan partners by offering briefs and current news on different sectors of JICA and the RGoB. It is for information purposes only and is not an official document. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of JICA. To join our e-mail based subscription, please contact at <bt_oso_rep@jica.go.jp>. Your comments and feedback are welcome.

The Project for Capacity Development of GLOF and Rainstorm Flood Forecasting and Early Warning successfully conducted evacuation mock drills in 3 pilot communities and 2 schools from March 1st to 16th, 2016. The mock drills were conducted based on flood preparedness plans which community people and schools prepared with the facilitation of JICA experts and Bhutanese counterparts. In the mock drill at Gangrithang Primary School, 282 students and 19 teachers participated, and Dasho Dzongda of Bumthang District, Director of Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and the project management side observed the drill. Dasho Dzongda of Bumthang District also observed the mock drill at Charmkhar Town.”

Ms. Yumiko Asakuma, the outgoing Chief Representat ive of JICA Bhutan Office left Bhutan on 30 March 2016 after sucessfully c o m p l e t i n g h e r assignment in Bhutan. She had commenced h e r t e n u r e i n December 2012, and headed the office for more than three years tilll her departure.We would like to wish her Tashi Delek for her future.

The Minutes of Meeting for Terminal Evaluation

JUDO coach(JOCV) arrival and Departure of Two Senior Volunteers

For more information

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)P.O. Box 217, Doy-bum Lam, Above Memorial Chorten, Thimphu, BhutanTel: (975) 2-322030, 323218, 328074, 324571,324463Fax: (975) 2-323089 Website: <http://www.jica.go.jp/bhutan/english/index.html> https://www.facebook.com.JICAbhutan

Newsletter TeamKinley Dorji, Chief Program OfficerKrishna Subba, Sr. Program OfficerTshering Palden, Program OfficerTenzin, Program Officer Karun Rai PA To CR

The Minutes of Meeting for the terminal evaluation for the Project on Capacity Development of GLOF and Rainstorm Flood Forecasting and Early Warning was signed between the team leader of the Japanese Evaluation Team and Director, Department of Hydromet Services ( DHMS) on 15 March 2016.The terminal evaluation team verified the accomplishments of the Project based on the Project Cycle Management and analyzed the overall project using the set evaluation criteria. The team found that the project has greatly enhanced the capacity of DHMS and other coutnerpart agancies to respond to GLOF and rainstorm floods with the improved weather and flood forecasting and early wanring systems.

JICA Bhutan office would like to welcome the new short term JOCV Ms. Hanako Wada, who will be assigned to Bhutan Judo Association as Judo Coach for a month.While two Senior Volunteers completed their two years assignment in Bhutan and left for Japan on 23 March, 2016. Mr. Yasufumi Kan, Advisor for PE Curriculum at Royal Education Counsel in Paro and Mr. Yasushi Yokode working as an Handicrafts Advisor for Agency for Promotion of Indigenous Crafts(APIC) in Thimphu. We would like to thank you both for all your contributions and hard work and wish you both the very best in everything that you venture.