KOICA and UNOPS Partner to Strengthen Indonesia’s COVID-19 Response

The Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS),  supported the Indonesian Ministry of Transportation in strengthening COVID-19 prevention measures in railway facilities across the country.

Since 14 December 2021, KOICA and UNOPS have been working to support the Government of Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation and the Jakarta Light Rail Transit (LRT), through the procurement of hygiene materials concerning railways safety, public health items for mass transportation, and audit and safety inspection equipment, to respond to the logistical and transportation challenges created by the spread of COVID-19 in the country. 

The handover event - held at Hotel Harris in Bekasi on 26 July 2022 - marked the official delivery of all project items to the Ministry of Transportation. Attended by Dr. Edi Nur Salam, Director of Railway Safety for the Republic of Indonesia and Yun Gil Jeong, Country Director for KOICA Indonesia and others, the event included speeches by Dr. Edi Nur Salam and Yun Gil Jeong, as well as singing Indonesia Raya, prayers and the symbolic delivery of the KOICA Grant in the form of Safety Inspection Equipment, Occupational Health Equipment, and Health Equipment for train stations.

Project Impact: 

Aimed at strengthening the COVID-19 response capacity of both LRT stations in Jakarta and railway facilities around the country, the project has sought to improve hygienic conditions for the public, and enable a safer working environment for Transportation Government Staff through the delivery of COVID-19 prevention items. The distributed items - which included Air Filtration Systems, Air Purifier Masks, Thermal Scanner Equipment, Oxygen Concentrators, and UV Light Sterilizers for escalators - are set to ensure early detection of cases, disinfect surfaces and limit the spread of infection through close contact; thereby minimizing the risks of possible transmission of the virus in stations. The new installations are expected to enhance the safety and support the work of 6,000 Transportation Government Staff, in addition to the estimated 315,075 passengers using LRT services every day. 

With $660,000 in funding, the project represents Phase 2 of the Joint Partnership between KOICA and UNOPS, building on the previous work of Phase 1 that sought to support Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation and Ministry of Health and the Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management (BNPB) strengthen the country’s health infrastructure systems by equipping hospitals with medical equipment and medical supplies for COVID-19 patients. Through the procurement of N95 masks, PCR machines, testing kits, and more, Phase 1 was instrumental in helping the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Health, and BNPB in strengthening the health preparedness and COVID-19 response of the healthcare system in Indonesia, and effectively and timely prevent and treat COVID-19 cases.

Speaking about the project:

Mr. Yun Gil Jeong, KOICA Indonesia Country Director,  said: “the donation of the distributed items is expected to strengthen the partnership of both countries by improving the hygiene of LRT and mass transportation in Indonesia. KOICA has a commitment to continue supporting the government of Indonesia in fighting the spread of Covid-19 in the LRT, in the train, and in the stations. “

Ms. Samina Kadwani, UNOPS Director for Indonesia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific, said: “UNOPS, in partnership with the Korean International Cooperation Agency, is proud to contribute to the strengthening of public health systems in Indonesia through the efficient delivery of health and hygiene items that will protect both passengers and workers of railway facilities across the country. “

Mr. Zulfikri, Director General of Railways, said: “The Ministry of Transportation greatly appreciates the donation from KOICA and for sure, it will give high benefits for all passengers of mass transportation in Indonesia. We are thankful to KOICA for choosing the Ministry of Transportation as the partner of this grant.”

ENDS

Notes to the editors:

Photos of the project can be found here - credit: @UNOPS/KOICA

Press contact details:

• KOICA: For media inquiries, please contact: Dian Mardiana, Program Manager (dianmardiana@overseas.koica.go.kr)
• UNOPS: For media inquiries, please contact: Ffion Conlon, Communications and Partnerships Officer (ffionc@unops.org)

About KOICA: KOICA was established as a governmental agency of the Republic of Korea under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1991. It implements Korea's grant aid and technical cooperation programs for inclusive and sustainable development of partner countries. Main areas of operations include education, health, rural development, public administration, and technology environment and energy. KOICA manages its ODA programs through its country offices in 44 partner countries. Read more: http://www.koica.go.kr

About UNOPS:

UNOPS mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement in an efficient way. We respond to our partner’s needs in the world’s most challenging environments, by combining the best of the UN and the private sector, as we build foundations for countries to achieve sustainable development.

Read more: www.unops.org