Addis Ababa, December 10, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Chinese Government donated 250,000 US dollars through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in support of assistances to Ethiopians either infected or affected by HIV-AIDS.In its statement it sent to ENA, WFP said the donation is a significant humanitarian contribution in support of the UN agency in undertaking anti HIV/AIDS intervention activities in Ethiopia.
This donation demonstrates the growing involvement Chinese government in humanitarian endeavors on the continent, the statement quoted the WFP Deputy Country Director, Miguel Barreto as saying.
Barreto made the remark in Mekele town of Tigray State on Monday while receiving 14 metric tons of haricot beans as part of the donation. WFP has plans to purchase additional 438 metric tons of haricot beans using the contribution.
The handed over ceremony was orchestrated by the Chinese Ambassador to Ethiopia, Lin Lin, the statement said.
A total of 452 metric tons of haricot beans will be apportioned among some 111,000 beneficiaries living in Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and South Ethiopia Peoples’ States as well as in Dire Dawa town for three months, it said.
According to the statement, recent survey indicated that 95 percent of chronically sick people living with the virus showed improvements in their health status after receiving nutritious food within six-month period.
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