IOM, New Zealand donate 35 cold storage units for COVID-19 vax to BARMM

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and New Zealand have donated 35 cold storage units for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, the Bangsamoro government announced Friday.

According to the Bangsamoro government, the donation is under the IOM’s program that seeks to alleviate the impact of COVID-19 on displaced communities in Mindanao.

“This equipment will not go squander and it will be utilized with great care,” OIC health minister Dr. Amirel Usman said in a statement.

“We have been at a challenge of implementing the vaccination plan of the region, and now part of our constraint has been set into loose and we can now refocus on other parts of our plan,” he added.

The cold storage units were turned over to the Bangsamoro Region’s Health Ministry on Thursday.

The Bangsamoro government said New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Kell also committed to supporting the peace process in Mindanao.

BARMM Chief Minister Ahod Balawag Ebrahim also thanked the donors.

“The Bangsamoro Government is grateful for the unwavering support of IOM Philippines and Government of New Zealand and other international partners,” Ebrahim said in a video message.

“Today, we continue building that bridge of compassion, intercultural learning, and shared purpose of making the lives of those in need easier,” Ebrahim added.—Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA News