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Chinese community donate 144 tonnes of food aid to Kenya's drought victims

Xinhua, April 7, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Chinese community residing in Kenya on Friday donated 144 tonnes of cooking oil, maize and wheat flour to boost humanitarian interventions for drought victims in nine Kenyan counties.

The Kenya-China Economic and Trade Association, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Kenya and the Kenya Overseas Chinese Association, extended the donation worth 160,000 U.S. dollars in aid of Kenya's national drought relief campaign.

Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony for the food donation by Chinese nationals, Principal Secretary of Ministry of Devolution and Planning Josephta Mukobe lauded Beijing for timely response to the country's drought which has affected an estimated 3 million people.

"We appreciate the kind gesture by Chinese community toward people affected by drought. It is my hope that we will continue to cooperate not just in drought intervention but also in technology and other areas that can help the country develop," Mukobe said.

Mukobe noted that the Chinese community living in Kenya was quick to respond to a presidential appeal for emergency food aid for drought victims.

She added that Kenya is ready to borrow expertise from China to find long-term solution to recurrent droughts that are linked to climate change.

"Our relationship should be a two way traffic, Kenya can learn some lessons from China on how to deal with drought and China can also pick some lessons from our experience on the issue," said Mukobe.

Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liu Xianfa and executives from the Chinese companies operating in Kenya attended the flagging-off ceremony for the latest food donation.

Chinese firms and nationals living in Kenya have made a series of food donations to Kenya's drought victims in line with the spirit of solidarity and friendship.

Liu said China is committed to lending material and technical assistance to enable Kenya and other African countries deal with drought and other natural disasters effectively.

"China is always willing to share its experience and knowhow with African brothers, helping you to develop modern agriculture, upgrade your anti-disaster facilities and build your capacity," said Liu.

He added that China will lend support toward development of irrigation, water and grain storage infrastructure in Kenya in a bid to tackle the country's growing food insecurity for the long haul.

The Chinese government in March announced donation of 21,366 tonnes of rice, worth 21.8 million U.S. dollars, to alleviate hunger and malnutrition among Kenya's drought victims. Liu said earlier that the rice would be shipped to Kenya soon and would support 1.4 million drought-affected people for one month.

Liu disclosed the Chinese government has also contributed 5 million dollars through the World Food Program to Somali and South Sudanese refugees in Kenya. Endit