On Saturday, 5 November, Japan's emergency relief goods (Japanese-made spare parts for desalination units) will be transported from Auckland to Funafuti, the capital of Tuvalu on a New Zealand military aircraft in cooperation with the Government of New Zealand. The Government of Japan had decided to provide the emergency relief goods to Tuvalu through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) following the severe water shortages caused by a long drought.
Along with Japan's emergency relief goods, portable desalination units which Tuvalu will receive through the Pacific Environment Community (PEC) Fund (funded by the Government of Japan) will also be transported on a New Zealand military aircraft.
The Government of New Zealand has been providing relief goods and transporting them on its military aircraft to Tuvalu from the very beginning of the water shortages in the country. At the request of the Japanese side, New Zealand kindly provides air transportation for Japan's relief goods.
The aid cooperation on Tuvalu between the Government of Japan and the Government of New Zealand embodies bilateral development cooperation between the two countries in the Pacific island region. It is expected that the cooperation between Japan and New Zealand, both of which play important roles in promoting peace and prosperity in the region will be further developed.