WFP ships China's contributions to Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and South Sudan
SHANGHAI – The World Food Programme has shipped thousands of tons of rice donated by China to Somalia, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, to help address their food security challenges.
This is part of China’s food assistance this year which also covers The Republic of Congo and Lesotho. The five countries are facing a range of issues that can impact food security, including armed conflict, climate-related disasters and sluggish economies. The assistance will mainly support displaced people and refugees, many of whom are women and children.
A departure ceremony was organized by the WFP China Office on April 12th at a port in Shanghai, eastern China, to recognize China’s significant contributions.
“China’s support enables us to expand our work and to reach more people in urgent need of food assistance,” Qu Sixi, Representative of WFP China Office, said during the ceremony. “We hope to further strengthen our partnership with China and make joint efforts towards achieving zero hunger.”
Said Jama Mire, Charge d’affaires of Somali Embassy to China, also expressed his gratitude. “We are very grateful for China's support for this food donation to Somalia and other African brothers,” he said. “Also I would like to thank World Food Programme for their great support to Somali people.”
China’s contributions have enabled the WFP to purchase more than 8,700 tons of rice in China and other food globally that will benefit approximately 300,000 vulnerable people in these African countries. Established last year, China International Development Cooperation Agency or CIDCA is China’s new governmental agency that oversees foreign aid.
“When African’s need is highest, the help from China will always be timely. It is in line with the principle of sincerity, real results and good faith and the principle of pursuing the greater good and shared interests, “ said Tian Lin, Director General of CIDCA’s Department of International Cooperation. “It is a reflection of the brotherhood between Chinese and African people to share good times and bad times. It is a follow-up action of the 2018 Beijing Summit of China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), aiming to help Africa to realize food security and sustainable development, and build a community with a shared future for China and Africa,”
Wang Yu, Deputy Director General of the Department of Outbound Investment and Economic Cooperation, MOFCOM said that as the Ministry overseeing the execution of China foreign aid projects, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has cooperated a lot with WFP in the area of humanitarian assistance. “This assistance brings hope and relief to developing countries suffering from natural disasters and conflicts,” she said. . “So I think today’s departure of Chinese food assistance from Shanghai is a very good example of China’s efforts to promote the shared future of mankind.”
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The United Nations World Food Programme - saving lives in emergencies and changing lives for millions through sustainable development. WFP works in more than 80 countries around the world, feeding people caught in conflict and disasters, and laying the foundations for a better future.