The People’s Republic of China through its Embassy in Juba on Thursday donated 2,396 metric tonnes of rice to support returnees, refugees, and other vulnerable people in South Sudan.

The Chinese ambassador to South Sudan, Ma Qiang, said the rice donation is to help South Sudanese who face food insecurity mostly caused by natural disasters and the recent conflict in Sudan.

“It is my pleasure to formally hand over 2,396 tonnes of rice to the government of the Republic of South Sudan,” he said. “South Sudan faces perennial food insecurity challenges due to natural disasters such as floods and locust plague. As the Chinese old saying goes; ‘those who stand on their own will stand forever, and those who help themselves will be helped by God.”

The Chinese diplomat pointed out that over 50,000 fleeing violence in Sudan have arrived in South Sudan.

“Part of the rice donated by the Chinese will be distributed to these returnees to meet their urgent needs,” he said.

For his part, Humanitarian Affairs Minister Albino Akol Atak said the donation was timely because the country is experiencing a high influx of people from Sudan.

“We want to thank China,” he said. “There are twelve checkpoints where our people are coming from Sudan and 60 percent of these food items will go to the states that have received more returnees especially Upper Nile, Western and Northern Bhar El Gazal states.”

According to Minister Atak, 50,000 people have so far arrived from Sudan.