Phnom Penh: The inaugural delivery of Covid vaccines under Quad’s flagship Vaccine Partnership was made in Cambodia on 12 April 2022. Ambassador of India to Cambodia, H.E, Dr. Devyani Khobragade, along with representatives from the Embassies of Australia, Japan, and the USA to Cambodia, jointly handed over a consignment of 325,000 doses of Made in India Covishield vaccines to the Prime Minister of Cambodia, H.E. Mr. Hun Sen, at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh.
The Quad Vaccine Partnership was announced by the Quad Leaders at their first Summit on 12 March 2021 to leverage Quad’s collective strength to ensure the global availability of safe and effective vaccines by expanding manufacturing and assisting countries in the Indo-Pacific with vaccination. Quad countries agreed to provide over 1.2 billion doses of Covid vaccines globally under this initiative.
Quad countries have collected so far provided Cambodia with close to five million Covid vaccine doses bilaterally and through COVAX. Quad countries have also provided last-mile delivery assistance to ensure that vaccines are translated into vaccinations. Australia and Japan have provided cold storage equipment, freezers, and temperature monitors along with equipment for the safety of health care workers. The US has assisted with surveillance and contact tracing, case investigation, training health care workers, and data management.
Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed his appreciation for the vaccines received from the Quad through India and for its collective assistance to Cambodia, calling it a true testament to the friendship and solidarity between Cambodia and members of the Quad. Quad countries have assured Cambodia about their desire to extend all possible support to combat the pandemic.
Source: India in Cambodia (Embassy of India, Phnom Penh)
