Japan extended a grant worth US$9.5 million to Pakistan. Japanese Ambassador and Secretary Economic Affairs signed the notes
Japan has extended grant assistance of JPY 1 billion (approx. US$9.5 million) to Pakistan to help enhance its capacity to confront COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.
H.E. Matsuda Kuninori, Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan and Mr. Noor Ahmad, Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, in Islamabad signed and exchanged notes to this effect on December 15, 2020.
Equipment and machineries for medical institutions
Under the program, more than 30 types of medical equipment including the Bedside X-ray Machine will be provided to medical institutions in Pakistan through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Pakistan’s key disaster agency has taken effective measures against national-level disasters such as floods, earthquakes, COVID-19, and locust invasion since its establishment in 2007. The Embassy of Japan and NDMA have been working together since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan with due consideration to the need for front-line medical institutions.
Japan’s firm commitment to control COVID-19 and prepare for the future
During the signing ceremony, Ambassador Matsuda clearly stated, “Our assistance will not only improve the capacity of controlling COVID-19 but will prepare for the risk in the future. The Government of Japan has expressed its strong commitment to this assistance, recognizing the necessity to go hand in hand on a global scale to confront the unknown viruses such as COVID-19.”
Japan’s counter-COVID-19 support reaches USD 16.91 million
Japan delivered diagnostic kits to Pakistan in the beginning of February, three weeks before the first case was reported in Pakistan. Later, Japan provided a total of US$7.41 million to Pakistan through international organizations. With this support to the NDMA, Japan’s support to Pakistan for containing the spread of COVID19 will reach US$16.91 million in total.