The Government of Japan pledges USD 3.7 million Grant to collaborate with United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for strengthening the capacities of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)

　　　　　Villimale, February 17, 2021 – The grant agreement was signed by Her Excellency Keiko Yanai, Ambassador of Japan to the Maldives, and Mr. Masatomo Yamaguchi, Crime Prevention and Crime Justice Officer designated by UNODC Executive Director, Global Maritime Crime Programme, UNODC.
 
　　　　　Under the terms of the Exchange of Note, the Government of Japan committed a grant of Three Hundred and Eighty Nine million Japanese Yen (¥ 389,000, 000), (approximately USD 3.7 million which is equivalent to Maldivian Rufiyaa 57 million) to strengthen the capacities of the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) of the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard.
 
              The 3 year project consists of two components:

1. Year 1 will be dedicated to the construction of the 4 floors of a new MRCC building including training facilities and a library. The building will be fully furnished under the project.

 

2. Year 2 and 3 will be dedicated to the Search and Rescue and Maritime Law Enforcement training programs. UNODC will design and deliver tailored training programmes not only for the Coast Guard but also for other law enforcement agencies.

 
　　　　　In November 2020, the Government of Japan committed a grant of USD 7.6 million to strengthen the operational capacity of the Maldives Coast Guard, specifically to procure communication equipment for MRCC, Search & Rescue professional dive gears with specialized trainings on operating dive equipment and its maintenance.
 
　　　　　Combined with the upgrading of the equipment, this grant will further strengthen the capabilities of the Coast Guard to ensure maritime security in the Indian Ocean and thus contributing to "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)."