Japan provides disaster reduction equipment worth MVR 64 million

Maldives and Japan have signed the Exchange of Notes for the Non-Project Grant Aid for Provision of Japanese Disaster Reduction Equipment (2014), under which Japan will provide equipment valued at MVR 64 million.

The Exchange of Notes was signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dunya Maumoon and Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives Nobuhito Hobo, at a ceremony at Ministry of Foreign Affairs today.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nobuhito Hobo said that the purpose of the grant is to support social and economic development goals of Maldives by improving resilience to disaster.

Climate change and rising sea levels are of great concern to Maldives, and they affect the country’s economy, he said.

Nobuhito Hobo further said that Japan, as a disaster-prone country with enormous experience in dealing with natural disasters, has been playing an active role in disaster management, and has recognised the importance of improving resilience to disaster as a key factor of sustainable socio-economic development in the Maldives.

Dunya, speaking at today’s ceremony, expressed the profound appreciation of the government and the people of the Maldives to Japan and its people for the generous support extended over the years.