The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has dispatched emergency relief supplies to Tuvalu, following the water shortage crisis caused by recent droughts. The aid goods were delivered on 5 and 9 November. The first batch of emergency goods, repair parts for seawater desalination units, were procured by JICA and dispatched from Japan via Fiji. The second cargo arrived at Funafuti International Airport via New Zealand on 9 November. A handover ceremony was held at Vaiaku Lagi Hotel at 18:30 (local time) on the 9th.
The ceremony was attended by Mr. Panapasi Nelesone, Secretary to Government of Tuvalu, Mr. Yutaka Yoshizawa, Ambassador of Japan to Tuvalu and Fiji, and Mr. Juichiro Sasaki, Chief Representative of JICA Fiji.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Yoshizawa said that it was a great pleasure for Japan to provide the goods to the Government of Tuvalu. He added that he hoped the goods would act as a bridge between Tuvalu and Japan, and that they would be used efficiently. Mr. Sasaki expressed his condolences to those who have been affected by the water shortage, and expressed his wish that the goods improve the situation in Tuvalu.
In response, Mr. Nelesone expressed his gratitude to Japan on behalf of the Government of Tuvalu. The repair parts will be used to repair damaged seawater desalination units.
In cooperation with the Government of New Zealand, the second batch of repair parts, which arrived on the 9th, were transported by the country’s air force plane from New Zealand to Tuvalu.
JICA will conduct necessary monitoring on the usage of the repair parts.
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