Japan pledges another $250,000 to Pakistan's fight against pandemic

Tokyo will also give personal protective equipment and medical equipment to prevent spread of COVID-19

ISLAMABAD: Japan has decided to provide a grant of $250,000 through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to Pakistan to equip its people to fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The IFRC will strengthen the government of Pakistan on surveillance, contact tracing, screening, an official statement said on Tuesday. "It will also provide Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), medical consumables and medical equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

Japan will give Pakistan $2.16 million as assistance in the fight against the novel coronavirus.

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The communique added, "It has vowed to contribute in reducing morbidity, mortality and social impacts of COVID-19 outbreak by preventing or slowing transmission and helping to ensure communities affected by the outbreak to maintain access to basic social services.

Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Matsuda Kuninori, termed the efforts by Pakistan and its people against COVID-19 as "tremendous", saying that the issue is becoming even more serious worldwide.

“The government of Japan remains committed to assisting Pakistan in its goal to fight against COVID-19," he said, adding, "Japan proactively takes initiatives to tackle this issue of COVID-19 working with the international community."

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The assistance and donations provided to Pakistan for COVID-19 are $2.45 million in total including the amount of $0.25 million through IFRC.

"The government of Japan is further willing to cooperate with the government of Pakistan to fight against the pandemic."