Suva, Fiji – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has provided Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including Rapid Antigen Test for COVID-19 detections worth around FJ$54,000 to the Fiji Ports Corporation today.

The equipment was procured under the Strengthening Border Control Capacity for the COVID-19 Crisis Project funded by the Government of Japan. The PPE and Rapid Antigen Test for COVID-19 will be used for ports in Suva, Lautoka in the Western Division and Levuka in Ovalau. Though the pandemic wave is now moderated, it will mitigate the risks to the safety and wellbeing of the frontline workers including women at the ports and the travelers to Fiji who arrive from abroad. 

The handover ceremony was held at Fiji Ports Corporation Limited (FPCL) with the presence of Mr. Vajira Piyasena, Chief Executive Officer of Fiji Ports Corporation Limited, and Mr. Rustam Pulatov, Programme Manager at the UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji. 

In his remarks, Mr. Vajira said, “FPCL is very grateful to be receiving those Personal Protective Equipment from the UNDP in our collaboration to strengthen border control capacity for the COVID-19 crisis. The equipment will assist in further protecting our operations team at our ports and facilities against COVID-19 and other possible similar threats”.

UNDP’s Mr. Pulatov said, “This support will increase the risk mitigation levels of the workers who are operating at the frontline of the border control and management. UNDP will continue coordinating and supporting the Fiji Ports Corporation to improve their security and safety major at the port facilities.” 

Japanese Ambassador H.E. Mr. KAWAKAMI Fumihiro said, “I am very pleased that Japan is continuing our COVID-19 support into strategic areas of the economy to strengthen Fiji’s border management and security. Japan has supported Fiji during time of need, particularly in stimulating economic recovery post-pandemic, promoting investment, trade, and tourism, and building disaster risk resilience.”

The Ambassador added, “We have extended various support such as COVID-19 emergency concessional loans worth approximately US$200 million, the provision of vaccines under the COVAX facility and the procurement of cold chain equipment and cooler trucks to facilitate the transportation and administering of COVID-19 vaccines throughout Fiji.”

“Japan has committed to fund JP¥464 million or approximately US$4.2 million to the Strengthening Border Control Capacity for the COVID-19 Crisis Project, and the provision PPE to Fiji Ports Corporation is well catered for under this fund. In collaboration with UNDP, Japan will provide additional equipment to further strengthen effective border management,” H.E. Fumihiro said.

UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji is also working with the Fiji Ports Corporation to revise the Cruise Vessel Safety Operating Procedures based on pandemic considerations and risk management.

The Strengthening Broder Control Capacity for the COVID-19 Crisis Project also supports border management agencies in Fiji, Vanuatu, and Palau to share regional collaboration and knowledge to encourage the adoption of regional across-border standards, agreements, and governance mechanisms to reduce red tape and maximize the benefits of cross-border trade and travel whilst managing risks.

Contact information:

Rustam Pulatov, Project Manager, UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji. (P) +679 3312 500