China Delivers Ebola Supplies Worth $1.6M to Sierra Leone

Written by Makula Dunbar

Aug 12, 2014

Written by Austin Thomas | From Awoko

Chinese government true to their word has delivered Ebola relief supplies worth 10 million Yuan ($1.63 million) to the Government and people of Sierra Leone. The chartered flight carrying the supplies landed at the Freetown International Airport at 15:50 GMT yesterday Monday.

Handing over the supplies to the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Health, Chinese Ambassador Zhao Yanbo said China has a long lasting relationship with Sierra Leone and they cannot sit and allow Sierra Leone to suffer so much without them coming out to aid them.

He said this is the second batch of Ebola Supplies they are sending and the first was for protection which he said was valued at one million Yuan ($163,000).
He said his Government has been monitoring the situation and that is why they responded by sending these supplies.

Three weeks ago, President Ernest Koroma called a meeting of all International corporations, Embassies and Consulates to a meeting. It was sad that the Chinese Ambassador was never invited. He only saw the meeting on SLBC TV. Even though China has been so close to Sierra Leone, the government said they ‘forgot’ to invite him.

However, Ambassador Zhao said that this new batch of China aided anti-Ebola emergency medical relief and the condolence message from President Xi Jinping have once again demonstrated the brotherly relations between China and Sierra Leone. “I hope that the new batch of aid materials will help Sierra Leone win the battle against Ebola.”

Ambassador Zhao said today Tuesday, three Chinese Doctors will arrive to teach and train Sierra Leonean health workers how to use the materials. Also, he said other medical officials from the China Disease Control that have knowledge of virus treatment.
In her short response, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Ebun Strasser-King said China is a friend indeed, because when we are in trouble, they are still helping us and working with us to rid the country of the virus.

She said even with the earthquake problem they have in Liu Dan, Yunan Province, they still came to our aid to help us fight the virus. She said now she understands who is the true friend of Sierra Leone.