IPSNEWS – Monrovia: The People of Japan have made available to their Liberian counterparts US$2.5 million for further strengthening of the nation’s healthcare delivery amidst the deadly Coronavirus disease pandemic.

The funds were contained in two project documents that the Japanese Ambassador, Mr. Himeno Tsutomu, formerly launched on Thursday, June 24, in Monrovia. The projects are going to be implemented by the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

According to Ambassador Tsutomu, his country’s support is part of support to Liberia’s efforts to manage the COVID-19 pandemic through partnership with UNICEF.

“One reason why we are supporting these programs is that because it involves health, nutrition and empowering the people. The second important reason is the friendship between the peoples of Japan and Liberia…And there is a third reason why we are doing this: the commitment of not only the Government of Liberia but that of UNICEF.” The Japanese Ambassador, who is based in Accra, Ghana, added, “Because of the very good track record of our partner, UNICEF, we are very confident to do this.”

The Japanese-funded projects are geared towards strengthening the delivery of routine health services in health facilities and communities during COVID-19 and improving cold chain management. The first project is going to be implemented only in Margibi and Montserrado; it is aimed at benefiting over 43,000 children and 12,000 pregnant women in over 150 communities in the two counties. The other project is going to be implemented nationwide.

Since 2020 the Government of Japan has provided UNICEF with a total of US$ 2.7 million to support the critical delivery of services to the women and children in Liberia. The Government of Japan’s main thematic priorities have remained EPI/Polio, Cold Chain System strengthening, provision of Health, WASH, Nutrition and Birth registration services to the most vulnerable population.

Speaking earlier, Ms. Laila Omar Gad, UNICEF Representative to Liberia, stated that the cold chain program will equip 190 health facilities with cold chain equipment and train 245 technicians and health workers to provide services for over 400,000 beneficiaries.

“We thank the Government of Japan for its continued cooperation with UNICEF to support the children in Liberia during this global pandemic,” Ms. Gad added. She promised to continue to work closely with the Government of Liberia, UN agencies and partners, to ensure the health system in the country is well equipped and health workers are well trained to respond appropriately to the threats of COVID-19.

“With this funding, UNICEF will continue its support to the Government of Liberia in its efforts to combat COVID-19 through the provision of cold chain equipment, strengthening the health system and building the capacities of the service providers.

Liberia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Wilhelmina S. Jallah, who attended the ceremony virtually, thanked the Government and People Japan for the timely gesture.

“This cold chain will help us to take our vaccines around the country, in Monrovia as well as the other 14 counties. We want to say thank you for providing this grant and we are sure that the partnership between us and UNICEF is very strong enough,” the Health Minister stated.

She promised the Japanese diplomat that she is going to make sure that the reason the grant was given will be achieved.

The grant being provided by the Government of Japan is very timely and will go a long way to support the ongoing COVID-19 response as well as strengthen the resilience of Liberia’s health system.