China pledges $70m help to Horn of Africa
Updated: 2011-10-13 19:35
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||||
BEIJING - China will provide more help to famine-stricken countries in the Horn of Africa, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.
China has pledged to offer 443.2 million yuan ($70 million) in emergency grain and funds to help the region cope with its worst drought in six decades, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said during a daily press briefing.
On the sidelines of the UN general debate earlier this year, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said that China will consider providing medical equipment and medicine according to the demands of the affected countries.
Emergency food aid provided by China has been warmly welcomed by the local government and victims in the Horn of Africa, Liu said.
"With the help of the international community, I believe that the affected countries and their people will overcome these difficulties," Liu said.
China-donated food has been shipped to the affected countries since September, when the first shipment of Chinese grain arrived in Kenya, Liu said.
On Wednesday, the United Nations World Food Program began distributing food that was purchased with a $16-million donation from China to hungry families in Somalia.
Hot Topics
Libya conflict, Gaddafi, Oil spill, Palace Museum scandal, Inflation, Japan's new PM, Trapped miners, Mooncake tax, Weekly photos, Hurricane Irene
Editor's Picks
Period of development poses threat to marine areas |
NE China gets first taste of winter |
Thailand floods continue |
Kenya pursues al-Shabaab militia |
Gymnasts compete at Pan American Games |
United, Liverpool share points and jibes |