months. The priority areas are “the reintegration and resettlement of refugees,” “de-mining,” “media infrastructure,” “education,” and “public health and medical services,” as well as “efforts to improve the status of women and reintegrate them into nation-building.” Japan also announced that up to $250 million of this amount would be provided in the first year; it has decided to disburse approximately $45 million by April 2002.

Japan has contributed $3 million to “the Recovery and Employment Afghanistan Programme” (REAP), established in February 2002 by the UNDP. The purpose of this program is to create employment for refugees both within and outside the country and to provide support for the reconstruction of basic infrastructure. Because of the immediate benefits accruing from this approach, it has been greatly appreciated by the people of Afghanistan.

Japan is also actively supporting the

### TOPIC 8. TECHNICAL COOPERATION TO SUPPORT RECONSTRUCTION IN EAST TIMOR

East Timor is now engaged in a nation-building process to prepare for its coming independence in May 2002. After a long period of colonial rule by Portugal, East Timor effectively came under Indonesian governance. Because all key government and private-sector posts were occupied by Indonesians, there was little opportunity for the East Timorese to develop their ability. During the violence that erupted in 1999, people including engineers with experience and qualifications in many fields were killed or fled overseas. As a result, the training of the personnel needed to drive national development is now an urgent priority. Japan has therefore made human resources development a key focus for assistance, in addition to support in the areas of infrastructure building and agriculture.

Masayoshi Koyama, a former Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer, joined the Faculty of Engineering at the National University of East Timor in July 2001 as an expert in automobile maintenance. He spent the next six months teaching car maintenance to East Timorese students. Located on the outskirts of Dili, the university's Faculty of Engineering was destroyed during the 1999 disturbances and is currently being rebuilt with emergency grant assistance from Japan. Until the rebuilding work is complete, classes are being held in temporary accommodations in Dili. With 70% of its infrastructure wrecked, East Timor lacked the tools, facilities, and equipment needed for auto repairs. Koyama therefore created tools and parts from locally available materials, gave practical lessons in automobile repair, and worked to improve the standards of technology in the Faculty of Engineering. An East Timorese teacher made some memorable comments about Koyama's work. "When we heard that a teacher would be coming from Japan, we expected that there would also be substantial Japanese assistance. To tell the truth, we were initially somewhat disappointed when we learned that there would be just one teacher. However, Mr. Koyama taught our students that there are things that can be accomplished in East Timor even if there are no resources. This has given our students great confidence for the future." Skilled engineering graduates are expected to play a major role in East Timor's nation-building process.