Africa-Press – Namibia. The Government of Japan has contributed more than N$24 million to Namibia through the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef), to assist in the safe and timely delivery of vaccines to all Namibians and to bridge the gap for maternal and child health services in the country.
“I sincerely hope that Japan’s contribution will extensively support the continued efforts by Unicef, the Government of Namibia and implementing partners in ensuring that women and children do not die from preventable illnesses in Namibia,” Ambassador of Japan to Namibia Hideaki Harada said.
The Ambassador emphasised that the contribution is intended to expand and strengthen the cold chain capacity to ensure the continuous availability of vaccines in all Namibian regions, while reducing wastage and increasing distribution.
Unicef stated that N$10,7 million of the contribution is directed towards the procurement of essential vaccine equipment, which includes Cold-Chain Equipment for the Erongo, Hardap, ǁKaras, Kunene, Omusati, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Kavango East and Kavango West regions.
The remaining N$13,5 million will be used to develop capacity and strengthen vaccine management. The contribution is also intended to increase demand for routine immunisation services in the country and to contribute to the general strengthening of health emergency preparedness and response planning at a sub-national level.
According to Unicef, although Covid-19 cases have declined over the last four months, Namibia still needs to prepare for the possibility of an increase in positive cases in the winter months of May, June and July.
“Unicef is grateful for this timely contribution from the people and the Government of Japan, which will enable us to provide the much-needed supplies to enable the Covid-19 vaccine rollout and sustained capacity during these challenging times,” Rachel Odede, a Unicef representative to Namibia, said.
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