Kathmandu, 7 August: The first lot of the Japanese-made AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Kathmandu today. Japanese ambassador Kikuta Yutaka attended the hand-over ceremony at the Tribhuvan International Airport with the State Minister for Health and Population Umesh Shrestha, joint secretary of North East Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lok Bahadur Thapa, Representative of UNICEF Nepal, Ms Elke Wisch and WHO Representative Dr Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav. This vaccine donation from Japan for Nepal through COVAX facility was announced by Motegi Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on 13 July. The remaining half of 1.6 million doses pledged by Japan will be shipped to Kathmandu shortly, once the arrangements of the relevant organizations are finalized, the Japanese Embassy has informed. Addressing the hand-over ceremony, Ambassador Kikuta stated that this donation is “From the people of Japan for the friendship with Nepal.” He also appreciated the cooperation of all the relevant organizations to achieve this, including the Nepal government international organizations such as COVAX, GAVI, WHO and UNICEF. The ambassador also informed Japan strongly supports the vaccination campaign by the Deuba administration, which is necessary for the progress of post-COVID Nepali society and its economic recovery. “We hope that this vaccine, together with other generous contributions from the international community, will help Nepal to ease down various difficulties caused by the COVID-19,” Ambassador stated.