Koror, Palau, 4 September 2025 – All communities living across the different areas in Palau, will have equal access to high-quality lifesaving vaccines and immunization outreach services through the support of new cold chain equipment.
Handed over to the Ministry of Health and Human Services today by the Government of Japan and UNICEF, this equipment includes a set of remote temperature monitoring device and sensors, two freezers, seven long-term cold storage boxes, 22 regular cold boxes, 40 vaccine carriers, 40 fridge tags, and 20 log tags, under the Project for Strengthening Immunization Programs in Pacific Island Countries which was signed in January 2024. The project was for four years, from January 2021 to January 2025, with a budget of which amounting US$7,260,920 donated by the Government of Japan through UNCIEF and WHO.
While this equipment will ensure the optimal temperature for vaccines to maintain their potency and effectiveness, it will also provide a real-time temperature monitoring system to ensure vaccines reach all communities safely.
Minister of Health & Human Services, the Vice President Raynold Oilouch concluded in his closing remarks of the official handover ceremony, “For our nation, health security is a top priority, and that security begins with ensuring every child has access to safe and effective vaccines. This new cold chain equipment is a vital addition to our health system, strengthening our ability to reach families in every corner of Palau, no matter how remote. By ensuring the integrity of our vaccine supply, we are not only protecting our communities today but also investing in a healthier, more resilient future for generations to come. We are deeply grateful to Ambassador Hiroyuki Orikasa and the Government of Japan, as well as to UNICEF North Pacific’s Chief of Field Office Cromwell Bacareza, for their unwavering partnership and generous support.”
Palau has a strong record of high immunization coverage. To further strengthen this success, new cold chain devices are being provided to ensure that all vaccines maintain their optimal temperature during outreach sessions. This will help guarantee the delivery of safe and effective vaccines to every community, protecting the health of all children and their families.
In his speech, H.E. Mr. ORIKASA Hiroyuki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Palau, emphasized that the Government of Japan has continued to support Palau in addressing challenges in health and medical service sector, but to make the support more effective, it is necessary to implement a community-based support and donor coordination. Although development assistance takes many diverse forms, Ambassador ORIKASA emphasized that “We must not forget that the goal of development projects and programs is always to assist local communities”. Ambassador ORIKASA continued by stating that “donor coordination is critical to ensure synergy across various funding and support” and concluded his speech by affirming Japan’s continued cooperation with the Government of Palau, UNICEF, and other donors to enhance Palau’s health and medical service.
With the handover of this strengthened cold chain equipment, Palau is now better equipped to expand its immunization outreach sessions with high-quality, safe, and effective vaccines.
“When families see that the vaccines they receive are safe and effective, it builds confidence in healthcare systems, strengthening the bond between communities and the services designed to protect them,” said UNICEF Pacific’s Chief of North Pacific Field Office, Cromwell Bacareza. “We thank the Government of Japan and the Ministry of Health and Human Services for the partnership in strengthening Palau’s immunization efforts to safeguard the health of every child.”
This initiative is part of a broader four-year regional project between the Government of Japan and UNICEF aimed at improving immunization services across five Pacific Island Countries including the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands. As part of this project, UNICEF has also provided technical training to healthcare workers and supported the development of key cold chain and vaccine management strategies and action plans.