The Japanese Government has announced to provide approximately one million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

“This was decided in light of the friendship between Japan and Cambodia and based on the current status of COVID-19 in Cambodia,” said H.E. Mikami Masahiro, Ambassador of Japan to Cambodia in a message released this morning.

The vaccines, which Japan is licensed to produce, will be shipped to Phnom Penh as soon as the logistics arrangement by the COVAX facility is completed, added H.E. Ambassador, hoping that this donation will support the Royal Government of Cambodia's efforts to defeat COVID-19 as well as help to relieve some of the anxieties of the Cambodian people.

According to H.E. Mikami Masahiro, to date, the Japanese Government has provided a total of more than US$50 million worth assistance to Cambodia. This includes the donation of medical equipment, the renovation of hospitals, support for infection prevention measures at the borders through international organisations, and equipment to properly carry and store vaccines. It has also provided a loan of approximately US$227 million, which is being used to provide cash benefit to people affected by COVID-19 and to strengthen the medical care provision system.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere respect to all concerned medical and governmental professionals who are taking measures against COVID-19 as well as all the people who are having to deal with this difficult situation,” he said.

“In our fight against the global issue of COVID-19, Japan would like to continue to cooperate and work together with our important friend, Cambodia,” underlined the ambassador. “I sincerely hope that the situation will improve as soon as possible and that the exchanges between our two countries and across the world will resume.”

Source: Agency Kampuchea Press