China has dispatched emergency relief supplies to Vanuatu following a devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the Pacific island nation on December 17. The shipment, which departed from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport on Wednesday evening, includes essential items such as tents, folding beds, water purification equipment, solar lamps, emergency food, and medical materials.
The flight left Shenzhen at 7:18 p.m. Beijing time and is expected to arrive in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, at 4:45 a.m. Thursday. This swift response underscores China’s commitment to supporting Vanuatu’s disaster relief efforts and aiding in the nation’s recovery.
In addition to the emergency supplies, the Chinese government has provided $1 million in emergency assistance to support Vanuatu’s disaster response and reconstruction. Li Ming, spokesperson for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, announced the aid package last week.
Chinese Ambassador to Vanuatu, Li Minggang, visited families of Chinese nationals who lost their lives in the earthquake. He expressed condolences and assured them of the embassy’s support during this difficult time. The embassy has urged the Vanuatu government and relevant authorities to take prompt and effective measures in post-disaster arrangements.
At the Vanuatu government’s request, China has also sent four engineering experts to assist with the post-earthquake response. Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, highlighted the significance of this deployment, noting that it’s the first time China has sent an emergency post-disaster assessment team to a Pacific island country.
“This gesture reflects our hope to contribute to Vanuatu’s reconstruction,” Mao said during a daily press briefing.
The collaboration between China and Vanuatu during this crisis exemplifies international solidarity in the face of natural disasters, offering hope and support to those affected by the earthquake.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
