Government of Japan Supports Zambia’s Safe Distribution of COVID-19 Vaccines with US$1.1m Emergency Grant through UNICEF
2021/5/20
The Government of Japan has announced an emergency grant of US$1.18 million (Approx. ZMW 24 million) through UNICEF to support the Ministry of Health’s COVID-19 vaccination roll-out in Zambia. The funding will support work to improve the cold chain infrastructure in Zambia through installation of new equipment, support to transport, and training for healthcare workers. Cold chain capabilities are essential to transport and store vaccines, which need to be stored at cool temperatures to maintain its effectiveness.
The partnership will boost Zambia’s health system capacity as the country rolls out the most rapid vaccination programme in its history, with the aim of providing COVID-19 vaccines to all the adult population above 18 years, contributing to saving lives, livelihoods and the economy. The funding will strengthen the existing health system, benefiting both the COVID-19 vaccination campaign roll-out, and the regular expanded programme on Immunisation (EPI)
Ensuring equitable access and swift distribution of vaccines is a common challenge for the international community as it works towards the goal of containing COVID-19 across the globe. To contribute in achieving this goal, the Government of Japan has contributed $200 million to the global COVAX Facility, an international mechanism led by Gavi, the Coalition on Epidemic Preparedness and Response, the World Health Organization and UNICEF to ensure and accelerate equitable access to vaccines across the developing world.
“Japan's support to Zambia through COVAX Facility and UNICEF reinforces our commitment to strengthen Zambia's capability to cope with COVID-19 and upgrade its healthcare system at large,”
said H.E. Mr. MIZUUCHI Ryuta, Ambassador of Japan in Zambia. “Together with our Government's project on the provision of medical equipment to frontline hospitals and our technical assistance through Japanese medical experts both on site and virtually, this assistance will augment Zambia's efforts to secure a sustainable vaccination programme.“
To UNICEF Zambia PAGE, please click here.
The partnership will boost Zambia’s health system capacity as the country rolls out the most rapid vaccination programme in its history, with the aim of providing COVID-19 vaccines to all the adult population above 18 years, contributing to saving lives, livelihoods and the economy. The funding will strengthen the existing health system, benefiting both the COVID-19 vaccination campaign roll-out, and the regular expanded programme on Immunisation (EPI)
Ensuring equitable access and swift distribution of vaccines is a common challenge for the international community as it works towards the goal of containing COVID-19 across the globe. To contribute in achieving this goal, the Government of Japan has contributed $200 million to the global COVAX Facility, an international mechanism led by Gavi, the Coalition on Epidemic Preparedness and Response, the World Health Organization and UNICEF to ensure and accelerate equitable access to vaccines across the developing world.
“Japan's support to Zambia through COVAX Facility and UNICEF reinforces our commitment to strengthen Zambia's capability to cope with COVID-19 and upgrade its healthcare system at large,”
said H.E. Mr. MIZUUCHI Ryuta, Ambassador of Japan in Zambia. “Together with our Government's project on the provision of medical equipment to frontline hospitals and our technical assistance through Japanese medical experts both on site and virtually, this assistance will augment Zambia's efforts to secure a sustainable vaccination programme.“
To UNICEF Zambia PAGE, please click here.