Grant Aid for the Project for Reinforcement of the Immunization Program in Haiti

October 30, 2004

The Government of Japan has decided to extend a grant aid totaling 241 million yen to the Government of the Republic of Haiti, through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Notes to this effect were exchanged on October 30 (Sat) (29 local time) between Mr. Masato Futaishi, Japanese Charge d'Affaires ad interim to Haiti, and Ms. Francoise Gruloos - Ackermans, UNICEF Representative in Haiti.
Although Haiti has been politically unstable since February this year because of such factors as then President Jean Bertrand Aristide's leaving the country, moves to bring about political stability by the interim government led by Interim President Boniface Alexandre and Prime Minister Gerard Latortue are steadily in progress, with the support of the international community based on U.N. resolutions 1529 and 1542. Political turmoil is no yet completely subdued, and instability in public order and the economic and social conditions still continues. The necessity of assistance by the international community for Haiti's rehabilitation was confirmed by the Haiti Donors' Meeting held in July in Washington, D.C. Recognizing that global assistance is needed in the fields of food, medicine and health, Japan has decided to extend this assistance from a humanitarian viewpoint including the provision of cold chain equipment and vaccine.
It is expected that the present assistance will strengthen Haiti's measures against infectious diseases by improving the cold chain system and vaccinations.

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