Japan donates MVR 70.8 mn in disaster management equipment

Japanese government has donated MVR 70.8 million (500 million Japanese Yen) in disaster management equipment to the National Disaster Management Center of Maldives.

The equipment was handed over by the Japanese ambassador to Maldives, Kazumi Endo, in a function held at Kalhuthukkalaa Koshi last Wednesday, June 14. The donation was accepted by Deputy Minister of Ministry of Defense and National Security, Fathimath Thasneem.

The donation – part of the Japanese government’s non-project grant aid - includes 70 portable fire pumps, four engine forklifts, eight water trucks, four crane trucks, six life boats, 10 generators and 15 chain saws. The equipment is to be used to improve disaster preparedness and response of Maldivian islands in cases of fires.

Speaking during the handover function, Ambassador Kazumi Endo said he had personally witnessed the huge fire at a warehouse in Male’ City in November of 2016, and the struggle the firefighters faced in trying to control the fire.

“Protecting the lives and properties from fires in this densely populated capital is as important as being prepared for disasters posed from the sea,” said Kazumi Endo.

The Ambassador said the first shipment of the equipment – which includes four forklifts and 70 portable fire pumps – has already arrived in Maldives. He said the equipment will be used in four strategic locations in Maldives.