JICA President Shinichi Kitaoka met online with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer on May 1.
They shared information on the status of project implementation by their respective institutions in the wake of the new coronavirus outbreak and reviewed the exchange of views between the two institutions at the local office level. President Maurer stated that in light of the spread of the new coronavirus, he would like to further strengthen cooperation with JICA, a development agency, particularly in the areas of health system strengthening and water and sanitation.
President Kitaoka shared that the corona crisis could be an important historical turning point, and that JICA is planning a study on “International Cooperation in a Post-Corona World” and preparing to research and disseminate information on infectious disease control with emphasis on health systems and Universal Health Coverage (UHC) (*). President Maurer shared that the government is preparing to study and disseminate information on infectious disease control with an emphasis on health systems and universal health coverage (UHC). President Maurer stated that these initiatives are very interesting and that the ICRC would like to cooperate with them.
(*) Universal Health Coverage (UHC): access for all persons to appropriate health promotion, prevention, treatment, and functional recovery services at a cost they can afford to pay.
President Maurer stated that it is important to emphasize the importance of international cooperation even as countries prioritize economic policies for domestic use due to the Corona crisis. He also confirmed that he would continue to pursue the possibility of utilizing innovative funding for humanitarian assistance, and that he would continue to exchange views with JICA.
JICA will continue to work with its partners in Japan and abroad to minimize the damage caused by the infection in developing regions, while making utmost efforts to ensure the safety of all concerned parties in Japan and abroad as a result of the corona crisis.
© Source JICA