Japan renews its assistance to Côte d’IvoireAbidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, July 9, 2008 – The Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene hosted the official signing ceremony of an Agreement for Assistance to Côte d’Ivoire, between the Government of Japan and UNICEF on July 9, 2008. The Agreement is accompanied by a donation from the Government of Japan to Côte d’Ivoire. The donation of Three Million Two Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty-Three US Dollars (3 002 763 USD), equivalent to approximately 1 billion 300 million francs CFA, will pay for polio vaccines, cold-chain equipment, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine tablets and long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets, all as a part of the “Phase IV Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Côte d’Ivoire” project. The Agreement, which covers the period from January 2009 to December 2009, was signed by Mr. Kazuhiko Nishiuchi, the chargé d’affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Côte d’Ivoire and the Resident Representative of UNICEF in Côte d’Ivoire, Ms. Sylvie Dossou. Thanks to this donation, 71,249 children under 1 year of age and 120,761 pregnant women – the groups most vulnerable to malaria infection – will receive long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets for effective protection against malaria in 37 health districts. Moreover, 518,317 children under 1 year of age will receive polio shots and 878,503 pregnant women in 72 health districts will receive preventive treatment against malaria. Speaking in the name of the Japanese Government, Mr. Nishiuchi assured that the Japanese people are happy to contribute to the effort produced by the Government of Côte d’Ivoire. He also congratulated UNICEF for its valuable cooperation with Ivorian authorities in striving to improve the health of all Ivorians. Ms. Dossou emphasized the significance of this donation, which will help save the lives of many children and women in the country. The representatives of the Embassy of Japan and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire expressed their appreciation of UNICEF’s support in putting the new cooperation agreement into effect and thereby both improving the well-being of the Ivorian population and strengthening the friendly ties between Japan and Côte d’Ivoire.
About UNICEF
Chrystel Trazié-Menan, Communication Assistant, UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire. Eric Konan, Head of Communication, Embassy of Japan in Côte d’Ivoire. Albert Za Bi Tra, Head of Communication, Program for the Fight against Malaria. Emma Bossoh, Head of Communication, Extended Vaccination Program.
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