Japan and IOM Partner to Strengthen Health Emergency Readiness at Maldivian Points of Entry

The Government of Japan has provided a grant of USD 8.4 million through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to strengthen the capacities of Points of Entry (PoE) in the Maldives and Sri Lanka to respond to the spread of infectious diseases.

The grant allocated to the Maldives will be utilized to enhance the capabilities of officials at the Gan and Velana International Airports and the Ministry of Health. This project will fund new biometric-based staff access controls, surveillance vehicles, ambulances, medical equipment, and deliver a series of training and capacity-building programs. These efforts aim to ensure the country is prepared for public health emergencies and complies with International Health Regulations (IHR).

The donations under this project were handed over to the Government of Maldives during ceremonies held at the Velana and Gan International Airports on 30 and 31 October 2024 respectively. The events were attended by H.E. Dr. Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with the Ministers of Homeland Security and Technology, Health, and Transport and Civil Aviation. Also present were H.E. Takeuchi Midori, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission of IOM Sri Lanka and the Maldives, and other key government officials.

At the donation ceremony, H.E. Midori, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, stated, "This project holds significant promise for the future of the Maldives, especially in our joint commitment to health security and economic recovery. It not only addresses the challenges posed by the pandemic but also takes proactive steps to safeguard the health of all islands in the Maldives and enhances the resilience against future public health emergencies."

With the global economy recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, PoE are experiencing an increasing number of cross-border movements. For countries like the Maldives, where economic growth heavily relies on travel and tourism, resilient and well-equipped PoE are essential for effectively managing potential disease outbreaks.

Noting the importance of these timely interventions, H.E. Dr. Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed "Our airports are the gateway to our economy. By enhancing our border health readiness, we ensure that our airports can operate effectively, contributing to the growth, stability, and prosperity of the Maldives. I commend the collaborative partnership among the Maldives, the Government of Japan, and IOM, that has enabled this project."

"IOM strives to strengthen the capacities of PoE to respond to events that could constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Thanks to the support of the Government of Japan, Maldivian PoE will be compliant with IHR (2005) and will maintain specific capacities to deter PHEIC facilitating safe, orderly, and regular cross-border movements, boosting resilience and economic capacity of the Maldives," said Kristin Parco, Chief of Mission of IOM Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

This project is implemented with the support and guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with key stakeholders including the Maldives Airport Company Limited (MACL), Gan Airport Company, Maldives Immigration, Maldives Customs Service, and the Ministry of Health. This intervention marks a new chapter in facilitating health-resilient, pro-mobility border operations at Maldivian PoE.

For more information, please contact:

Shantha Kulasekara, Senior Programme Manager / Head of Office at IOM Maldives, Tel: +960 9287796, Email: [email protected]

This article is first published at UNFPA Maldives website on Japan and IOM Partner to Strengthen Health Emergency Readiness at Maldivian Points of Entry

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