As a part of the efforts of the Government of Japan to counter COVID-19 infections worldwide, Japan announced last month to provide the Kingdom of Cambodia with approximately one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine that have been validated by WHO EUL and manufactured in Japan. The first batch of this vaccine, containing around 330 thousand doses, arrived in Cambodia on 23rd July and the remaining approximately 670 thousand doses arrived today. The decision to provide these vaccines was made in light of the friendship between Japan and Cambodia and the current status of COVID-19 in Cambodia.
This is a bilateral donation of the Government of Japan to the Royal Government of Cambodia under the logistical arrangement by COVAX.
Considering the unprecedented spread of this infectious disease during the current phase of the pandemic, vaccination, strengthening health systems, and improving medical care are essential. On the occasion of the COVAX AMC Summit held in June, the Japanese Government pledged to make an additional contribution of 800 million USD, bringing their total contribution to the COVAX Facility to 1 billion USD.
The above-mentioned provision of approximately one million doses of vaccine to Cambodia is in addition to this pledge. In the context of bilateral cooperation in tackling COVID-19, the Japanese Government has provided assistance worth more than 50 million USD to Cambodia to date. This assistance has included the donation of medical equipment, the renovation of hospitals, support for infection prevention measures at the borders in cooperation with international organizations, and the supply of cold chain equipment, with the help of our partners UNICEF and JICA, to properly store and transport COVID-19 vaccines. The Japanese Government has also provided a loan of approximately 227 million USD, which is being used to provide financial support to people affected by COVID-19 and to strengthen the healthcare system.
Japan will continue to cooperate with the Royal Government of Cambodia to ensure the provision of necessary goods and equipment. We hope this donation will support the Royal Government of Cambodia’s efforts to tackle COVID-19 effectively, as well as helping to relieve some of the worries of the Cambodian people.
Source: Embassy of Japan in the Kingdom of Cambodia
