Helping hand from Japan

The National National

THE Japanese government has contributed US$6.9 million (about K24.2 million) to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to strengthen the capacity of border control in response to infectious diseases in Pacific Island countries.
From the contribution, about US$900,000 (about K3.1 million) will be allocated for project activities in PNG.
The scope of the project includes PNG as well as the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, and intends to benefit people transiting through targeted points of entry (PoEs) in Pacific countries as well as public health law enforcement officials in border areas. The six PoEs in PNG supported by the project are:

  • PORT Moresby Jackson International Airport;
  • PORT Moresby sea port;
  • VANIMO land border;
  • WEAM land border;
  • BUKA Airport; and,
  • KIETA sea port.

Border management infrastructure and public health equipment provided to PNG will include handwashing stations, toilet stations, isolation unit/quarantine facility, Coronavirus testing point or screening area upgrades of thermal scanner, including equipment to support thermal scanners and emergency response equipment.