Off the wire
• UNHCR to push for community co-existence in S. Africa  • China should apply more easing measures to support growth: HSBC  • Roundup: China to make more efforts on elephant conservation  • Indian PM to attend funeral of Lee Kuan Yew  • China adopts plans for free trade zones  • Hawkish Israeli minister urges boycott of Arab parties  • China's local gov'ts urged to implement power list system  • Chinese envoy to attend Syria conference in Kuwait  • Indian stocks close lower  • Israel denies spying on U.S., Iran nuclear talks  
You are here: 　 Home

Russia donates 67 trucks to support WFP operations in Africa

Xinhua, March 24, 2015 Adjust font size:

Russia on Tuesday donated 67 trucks to the UN World Food Program (WFP) to support its relief operations in East and Central Africa.

The vehicles are part of a Russian global contribution to WFP of 218 trucks, valued at 21 million U.S. dollars. They are accompanied by mobile workshops, technicians and an additional 1.6 million dollars to cover operational costs related to the trucks.

While receiving the trucks here in the eastern Ugandan district of Tororo, acting WFP Country Director Michael Dunford said the vehicles will assist in distributions and deliveries in Uganda and throught the East and Central Africa region.

"WFP greatly appreciated the generosity of the Russian government for the contributions, which will enhance the WFP's fleet capacity in the region," Dunford said while receiving the trucks at the food agency's regional warehouse here.

"As one of the world's leading humanitarian organization, WFP needs to respond quickly to breaking emergencies to save lives and meet the needs of people affected by crisis," Dunford added.

Radmir Gynanov, Russian ambassador to Uganda said that Russian is happy to offer a helping hand to people who are in need.

After the delivery of the 67 trucks, 53 of them were loaded with food aid and dispatched to South Sudan where over 4 million people have been affected by fighting in country. The rest will be stationed in Uganda.

Another 62 of the 218 trucks are expected to arrive later this year for use in the region and elsewhere in Africa. Endi