China gives  Malawi $24m humanitarian aid: Chinese community donate K10m

Malawi and China have signed a $24 million economic and technical cooperation agreement in the aftermath of the worst floods to hit the country since independence.

Under the agreement, $16 million will be in the form of a grant while $8 million will be an interest free loan to handle the aftermath of the floods which had inundated nearly all the districts across the country.

Minister of Finance  Goodall Gondwe said Thursday in the capital Lilongwe during the signing ceremony that the two countries are discussing school and borehole projects among others which will be financed by the loan.

“These funds will go a long way in assisting people of Malawi to improve education as well as drinking water especially for the rural people,” he said.

Chinese envoy to Malawi, Zang Qiyongyang said his government and Malawi has always shared good moments since the establishment of their ties seven years ago.

“We are true friends. We share common destiny, development task and strategic interests. These have bound us together,” he said.

However, since the two government’s diplomatic relationship, China has been funding several projects in Malawi like Parliament Building, Five-Star Hotel, Presidential Villas, Chitipa-Karonga road and the National Stadium currently under construction to mention a few.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Community in Malawi Thursday donated various relief items worth K10 million for flood victims.

Chinese Ambassador to Malawi Zhang Qingyang made the official presentation of the relief items to Vice President Saulos Chilima at Capital Hill in Lilongwe saying they came up with the donation in solidarity with Malawians who have lost family members and property.

And on receiving the donation on behalf of the Government, Chilima thanked the Chinese Community saying the donation was timely and will be distributed to the affected people.

“We are thankful for the donation and do not take it for granted. On behalf of President Mutharika I would like to extend Malawi Governments’ gratitude to the Chinese people for this donation.”

Chilima added that Government will continue assisting all victims as it awaits final assessment to start reconstruction.

He also appealed to the Chinese Community to continue investing their businesses in Malawi as a way of contributing to the socio economic development of the nation as well as creating job opportunities for locals.—(Additional reporting by Alfred Chauwa, Nyasa Times)

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