Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan MA Qiang and the Chairperson of South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission Manase Lomole Waya distribute rice to returnees in Juba. | Photo: Chinese Embassy in Juba/Facebook

The Chinese Embassy in Juba has donated about 2,400 metric tons of rice as Emergency Food Assistance to South Sudanese returnees fleeing the conflict in Sudan.

The food consignment was handed over to the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Dr. Albino Akol Atak, and the Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission Manase Lomole Waya in the capital on Thursday.

In a press statement published on the Embassy’s Facebook page, Beijing says the food assistance was distributed to 400 returnees airlifted from the oilfield town of Paloch to Juba, after fleeing the conflict in Sudan.

The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission will allocate 65% of rice donations to the 10 States and 3 Administrative Areas, 25% to the returnees in Juba, and 10% to other vulnerable groups.

The Chinese Ambassador in Juba MA Qiang noted that South Sudan is suffering the consequences of climate change and that his government will strengthen poverty reduction cooperation in South Sudan and Africa.