China helps South Sudan with rice donation

China donated 1,700 metric tons of rice to South Sudan on Wednesday to relieve the country's humanitarian crisis, reports Xinhua News Agency.

“China was concerned with the deteriorating humanitarian situation in South Sudan," said Ma Qiang, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan, during a donation ceremony held in the country’s capital Juba.

The ambassador also said rice is the first phase of Chinese donations agreed by governments of the two countries in July 2015. Medical aid from China will also arrive soon.

"The medical aid will be given to Relief and Rehabilitation Commission of South Sudan government," Ma said.

According to UN agencies, the cereal deficit this year in South Sudan has increased by 53 percent to 381,000 tons.

Ma said, "China would continue to support South Sudan in solving some of the challenges it faces."

South Sudan's Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Awut Deng Achuil, was quoted by Xinhua News Agency as saying, "Your support will surely save life and alleviate the suffering of our people and the government. China will not be forgotten by the people of South Sudan."