China donates rice, anti-malaria drugs to South Sudan

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China donated 9,660 metric tons of rice and anti-malaria drugs to South Sudan at the end of February.

Beijing said it has earmarked 100 million yuan or about 15 million U.S. dollars for emergency food aid and medicines to help the South Sudanese people as the country's 5-year civil war comes to an end.

The latest peace deal signed between South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and opposition groups last year is now in its implementation stage.

However, the United Nations said despite improvement in the security situation, 6.7 million people in the country are still in need of humanitarian assistance because, for five years, many who depend on agriculture have not been farming as a result of the violence.

Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, He Xiangdong said the donation of rice is to try and help mitigate the current food shortage.

"We are very glad to see that revitalized peace agreement is now under implementation and we hope that with the implementation of the peace agreement, the situation will get better and better and we are very confident that in the future the people of South Sudan can stand on their own feet but now we are doing all we can to help," said He Xiangdong,

One of South Sudan's other challenges is its poor road network.

Getting the donated rice to the needy population in rural areas remains a challenge.

The Chinese government has donated 9,660 metric tons of rice and anti-malaria drugs to South Sudan at the end of February 2019. /Photo provided by Patrick Oyet

Manase Lomole Waya, chairperson of South Sudan's Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, said Juba is working to ensure that China's aid reaches all parts of the country before the rainy season begins.

"His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit has allocated some funds for transportation of the rice to the states and to those areas where it's most needed and we will make sure the rice reaches all parts of the country where it's most needed," Lomole said.

China has also donated anti-malaria drugs to South Sudan's Ministry of Health.

South Sudan's Minister of Health, Riak Gai Kok said, Juba is engaging more with Beijing to get assistance in other sectors of the economy such as infrastructure development.

"The relationship between our two peoples and governments is growing and yielding fruits, China has built for us hospitals and continues to help," said Riak.

South Sudan hopes rice aid can make an impact on the lives of people who need it.

Experts say humanitarian needs in South Sudan are likely to increase as peace returns to the country.

That's because many displaced people are going back to their homes but finding their livelihoods have been destroyed entirely due to the war.

So aid will be crucial in helping people get back on their feet.

(Cover: Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, He Xiangdong (L) greeting South Sudan's chairperson of Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, Manase Lomole Waya after inspection of samples of rice donated by China to South Sudan at Across Way Station in Juba, South Sudan, February 21, 2019. /Photo provided by Patrick Oyet)