Japan Funded US$4 Million in Health and Medical Equipment in Support of Health System Strengthening in Saint Lucia as well as Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Ambassador ISHIKANE Kimihiro, Permanent Representative of Japan, signed two Exchange of Notes on the Grant Aid under the Economic and Social Development Programmes for Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
 
The signing ceremonies were held at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, attended by Ambassador Cosmos Richardson, Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia on 28 May, followed by Ambassador Inga Rhonda King, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 16 June. The grants totaled approximately 4 million US dollars and will procure health and medical equipment to support the fight against COVID-19 while strengthening the health systems in both countries.
 
At the signing ceremonies, Ambassador Ishikane expressed Japan’s solidarity with Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as an island nation, and reaffirmed Japan’s willingness to support CARICOM’s efforts to improve the resilience of its members.
 
In addition to this bilateral assistance, Japan announced a further financial contribution of 800 million US dollars to the COVAX facility at the COVAX Advance Market Commitment (AMC) Summit held on 2 June on top of the 200 million US dollars Japan had previously committed.
 
Japan remains unwavering in its support for ensuring equitable access to safe and effective vaccines for as many people as possible, with a view to achieving Universal Health Coverage, guided by the principle of human security.