China's food aid project to help the vulnerable in Guinea-Bissau

A launch ceremony for the Chinese government's food aid project to Guinea-Bissau, which aims to help students and famine victims affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, was held in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau, on Nov 17, 2021.

Chinese Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau Guo Ce, Education Minister of Guinea-Bissau Abas Djaló, and the Representative of the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) in Guinea-Bissau João Manja attended the ceremony and delivered speeches.

Djaló thanked the Chinese government for its long-term assistance and support to Guinea-Bissau in various fields, saying that China's assistance has brought about real benefits to local people. 

The emergency food aid will once again help students in need and coronavirus-ravaged groups, and reduce the burden on the Guinea-Bissau government in addressing food insecurity, he said, adding that this demonstrates the sincere friendship between China and Guinea-Bissau. The Ministry of Education of Guinea-Bissau will strive to implement the project under the supervision of all parties, the minister said.

Manja thanked China for the generous help that will benefit over 150,000 students from nearly 700 schools in Guinea-Bissau.

The UNWFP will ensure a fair distribution of the food aid and cover more students and food-insecure people in this project, he said.

Guo said at the ceremony that the Chinese government's food aid to Guinea-Bissau through the UNWFP is an example of mutual help between China and Guinea-Bissau in the joint fight against the pandemic, hoping it could play a positive role in alleviating the impact of COVID-19 on the people of Guinea-Bissau.

Guo added that China is striving to provide support within its capacity to developing countries, including Guinea-Bissau, aiming to help boost confidence in international cooperation to overcome various difficulties.

Guo expressed gratitude to all parties for their part in the project, and said multi-party participation proves that solidarity should be strengthened in face of the pandemic, and it also demonstrates the concept of jointly building a community with a shared future for mankind.

After the launch ceremony, the officials visited a grain depot and checked the storage and management of the food aid.

This project is under the South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund administered by the China International Development Cooperation Agency, aiming to help Guinea-Bissau cope with the food crisis caused by the pandemic.