Five vehicles were donated to the Ministry of Health today by Japan, to help accelerate the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Tonga.

The vehicles were handed over by the Japanese Ambassador HE Kensaku Munenaga to the Minister of Health Hon Dr 'Amelia Tu'ipulotu.


He said this project is to support the Tongan Cold Chain, which is managed by the Ministry of Health to protect Tongan people from COVID-19. The cold chain equipment included cold-storage facilities and transportation.

“Even if vaccines are available, we cannot fully utilize them without an appropriate supply system. Vaccines, especially those for COVID-19, require swift distributions and more importantly, a very sensitive temperature control. Therefore, its supply system is called a Cold Chain.”

This was not the end of their donation and a boat is also provided through this project but it would arrive later, said the Ambassador.

The Health Minister was thankful to the Government and people of Japan for donating such branded quality vehicles.

The vehicles will support vaccination programs in Tonga, especially outer islands, she said.

This project is funded under Japan’s Emergency Grant Aid of USD$41 million for 25 countries in Improving Cold Chain in Southeast Southwest Asia and Pacific Island countries that suffer from the impact of COVID-19.