Japan to provide $1 million as third cache of assistance in fighting COVID-19

Japanese envoy says support will boost Pakistan’s capacity to quickly track coronavirus affected people

ISLAMABAD: Japan has decided to provide third cache of assistance worth $1 million to Pakistan through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to equip Pakistani people and Afghan refugees to fight against the outbreak of novel coronavirus.

Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan Matsuda Kuninori lauded the efforts of government in Islamabad and termed it as "tremendous".

He said that the spread of COVID-19 became a serious issue worldwide and it "is now crucial for the international community to take necessary measures to address this disease".

According to an official statement, the government of Japan will continue to support the Pakistani government not only in its efforts to fight against COVID-19 but also other matters related to Japan-Pakistan socio-economic development cooperation."

Coronavirus cases fatality rate ‘very low in Pakistan’

Earlier, Tokyo had provided $2.41 million to Islamabad to support its efforts to combat the COVID-19 infection, including $1.6 million through the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef),$540,000 through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and $250,000 through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Through the grant assistance, the UNHCR will provide necessary technical assistance and equipment/material to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by considering the situation on the ground on the request of Pakistan.