China donates tents to Somali refugees in Kenya

The Kenyan government on Tuesday received a donation of 5,800 tents from China in a bid to improve the living conditions of Somali refugees in the country.

Speaking in the coastal city of Mombasa during a ceremony, Kenya's Interior Principal Secretary Monica Juma appreciated China's support towards the Somali refugees in Kenya.

She also appealed for more support from other donors towards this exercise as "the issue of refugees is and should be a shared responsibility among the community of nations."

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa said the donation not only reflects China's strong support of economic and social development to Kenyan government, but also demonstrates the profound friendship between the people of the two countries.

The project came after Chinese Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Kenya in May last year. The premier made a promise to provide assistance for the Somali refugees in Kenya at the request of President Kenyatta.

"We are very pleased to be here to witness the commitment made by the Chinese government is honored. We wish this humanitarian aid can improve the refugees' living conditions and to promote Kenya's security as well," noted the ambassador.

He added that over the past few decades, under the Framework of South-South Cooperation, China has provided dozens of no-strings-attached economic aid to Kenya.

Over 5,000 Somali refugees have left Kenya voluntarily over the last two years from the Dadaab refugee camp, according to UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Dadaab refugee camp, currently home to some 350,000 people, is the largest settlement in the world. For more than 20 years, it has been home to generations of Somalis who have fled a country embroiled in conflict. Endit