Koror, Palau - With support from the Government of Japan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Office has delivered a range of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to Palau International Airport.  

This delivery was made with thanks to UNDP's Strengthening Border Control Capacity Project, which aims to support border management agencies in Fiji, Palau, and Vanuatu to reinforce their capacities and systems for inter-agency and cross-regional cooperation. 

While we find ourselves in the period of what many are now labelling our ‘new normal’, Pacific Island nations are coming to grips with finding the balance between living with the COVID-19 virus, while ensuring that the necessary safety and security protocols at borders remain in place. 

This PPE delivery, including items such as gloves, masks, face shields and Rapid Antigen Tests, will ensure the safety and wellbeing of frontline workers - including women – at Palau International Airport as travelers return to the island nation. 

Japan's Ambassador to the Republic of Palau, Akira Karasawa, attended the handover ceremony and affirmed his nation’s commitment toward the safe passage of goods and travelers to and from the island nation.  

“On behalf of the Government of Japan I would like to reiterate our commitment to further strengthening our partnership with the Pacific, a partnership underpinned by mutual trust and respect. Of our priority areas of cooperation, COVID-19 response and recovery remains high on our agenda, and this area of focus links with the key themes and objectives of the Strengthening Border Control Capacity Project," Ambassador Karasawa said.