On Tuesday 14th June 2022, the Director General for International Affairs of the Japan Firefighters Association, Mr. Nezuka Takeshi paid a courtesy call on H.E. Ambassador Baraka Luvanda at the Chancery. Mr. Takeshi was accompanied by Mr. Endo Takashi, Specialist for International Fire Services Cooperation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan, together with Mr. Oura Kazuya and Mr. Uehara Yasuaki, Assistant Directors of the Japan Firefighters Association. The courtesy meeting was also attended by Embassy officers, namely, Mr. Greyson Ishengoma, Ms. Edna D. Chuku, Mr. Hosea Chikolongo and Ms. Emi Tanaka.
After the exchange of courtesies, Mr. Takeshi thanked Ambassador Luvanda for giving an early audience and made a presentation about the company’s profile which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.
Mr. Takeshi explained in detail about the company’s background, which among others, has been providing aid support by conducting technical trainings as well as donating firefighting and rescue equipment to the countries in need around the world. He also briefed the meeting that Tanzania was one of the countries that received vehicles donation for different periods from 2013 to 2015.
He further informed the meeting that their visit was to explain their desire to assist Tanzania in resolving fire disasters; and that Japan Firefighters Association is currently planning to donate used firefighting vehicles to Tanzania through Official Development Assistant (ODA) framework. He also informed that the company has already donated about 50 fire fighting used vehicles to Tanzania; with the last donation of 30 firefighting used vehicles in 2015.
Mr. Takeshi pointed out that if Tanzania is willing to receive such assistance, proper procedures should be followed to transmit the application through Japan Embassy in Tanzania. He concluded his presentation by providing documents explaining the procedure to follow from starting consultations on ODA vehicles donation until the vehicles reach the country recipient.
On his part, Ambassador Luvanda thanked Mr. Takeshi for sharing this important information and assured the Association of the urgent need for fire fighting and rescue equipment in Tanzania; owing to the fast growing of urbanization with attendant consequences. He concluded his remarks by emphasizing that the Embassy will immediately contact relevant authorities in Tanzania and follow up closely with them to seize this rare opportunity.