Japan to provide US$ 9.3 million aid to build cold chain system

Japan has led operationalisation of the COVAX Facility as an international mechanism for the procurement of vaccines, and recently announced USD 800 million of financial contribution in addition to existing USD 200 million.

Japan will provide USD 9.3 million worth of funding to India to procure cold chain equipment (CCE), including cold-storage facilities, to ensure vaccines reach all, to push drive for vaccine over a 12-month period starting from July. The assistance is channelled through the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Cold chain system building stands to enhance the country’s capacity to contain the Covid-19 pandemic as well as to strengthen the immunisation service delivery for all in the long-term including children. This will include purchase of walk-in coolers, walk-in freezers, solar direct drives, vaccine carriers and voltage stabilisers – the part of the cold chain system.

Satoshi Suzuki, Japan’s Ambassador to India, said, “I am pleased that Japan and UNICEF stand together with India in the fight against the pandemic and are cooperating to provide CCE and technical assistance to strengthen institutional capacity to manage CCE for smooth delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in India.” This project will help deliver vaccines to approximately 5.5 million people living in remote areas including the North-East, he said.

UNICEF India Representative, Yasmin Ali Haque said, “This generous and timely contribution from the Government of Japan to the Government of India, through UNICEF, will immensely support the equitable and efficient deployment of COVID-19 vaccines across the country to reach the last mile in the fight against COVID-19.”

Japan continues to be a leader and a major contributor in supporting countries across the globe in combating COVID-19 and in addressing the spread of the virus.