ISLAMABAD: The government of Japan has decided to provide four ambulances and financial assistance of $71,501 to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) aiming to further enhance its outreach capacity and coverage to provide emergency assistance in the wake of unexpected calamities and emergencies.
The agreement in this connection was signed by Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Takashi Kurai and PRCS Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi at the residence of the ambassador in Islamabad on Wednesday. Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz also attended the signing ceremony.
Under the said agreement, the government of Japan will donate four ambulances to PRCS, one of the largest humanitarian organisations working across the country, to operate in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. In addition to the ambulances, a grant of $71,501 will be utilised for the transportation cost of ambulances from Japan to Pakistan, their re-conditioning, installation of first aid equipment as well as training of PRCS staff in Islamabad.
These four re-conditioned and fully equipped ambulances will sufficiently add to PRCS’ outreach capacity and coverage in twin cities in the wake of unexpected calamities and emergencies.
Speaking on the occasion, Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai wished to share the joy with PRCS of receiving the grant. He expressed his hope that the addition of four ambulances to the organisation’s fleet will enable it to respond to emergencies and outreach the people who were in immediate need of first aid even more quickly.
“Japan will continue to support the people of Pakistan to improve their living standards,” said the ambassador.
At the signing, PRCS Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi, while expressing his views, highly appreciated the assistance provided by the Japanese government for improving the operational capabilities of the PRCS. He thanked the Japanese embassy for extending this helping hand to effectively address the calamities and emergencies in the twin cities.
