Japan to offer grant for Covid-19

Islamabad: The government of Japan has decided to provide the grant of $250,000 through the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies (RCS) to the government of Pakistan to equip Pakistani people for the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

According to Ambassador of Japan Matsuda Kuninori, with the support of IFRC, the government of Pakistan will be strengthened on surveillance, contact tracing, screening and will also be equipped with personal protective equipment, medical consumables and medical equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

"The IFRC will contribute to 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."

The ambassador commended the efforts by the government of Pakistan and its people against COVID-19 as the issue is becoming even more serious worldwide.

"The government of Japan continues to be committed to assisting Pakistan in its goal to fight COVID-19. It proactively takes initiatives to tackle this issue along with the international community,” he said. The ambassador said Japan’s assistance provided to Pakistan for COVID-19 was $2.45 million in total including $0.25 million through the IFRC.