By Admin. Updated 7:06 p.m., Tuesday, August 20, 2024, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Responding to the impact of Hurricane Beryl on Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Taiwan has promptly raised resources and donated 100 metric tonnes of rice to assist SVG out of humanitarian concern, the country’s Embassy in Kingstown said today.
“On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Ambassador Fiona Huei-Chun Fan handed over 5 containers of rice to Hon. Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, at Campden Park Container Port on the 19th of August, 2024, as a sign of support and togetherness,” the Embassy said.
The move comes as 1, 052 people are still in shelters across the country, according to the National Emergency Management Organisation – NEMO.
At the handover ceremony, Ambassador Fan expressed that a strong relationship between Taiwan and SVG has been built on mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to support each other in times of need; adding that the contribution is part of our ongoing effort for Hurricane Beryl relief. She hopes that the rice will not only help meet immediate needs but also reinforce the resilience of local communities during this difficult time, the Embassy said.
The Embassy said the Hon. Minister Caesar thanked Taiwan for its generous humanitarian assistance, saying that the rice will be distributed jointly through Ministry of National Mobilisation and the Ministry of Agriculture to the people in need.
Taiwan will steadfastly fulfill its responsibility as a force for good in the international community, continuously deliver staunch support to SVG, and safeguard the value of human rights, the Embassy said.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture said on its website that Rice is a major crop in Taiwan, and the rice fields account for about 20% of the farming land area, mainly located in Taichung City, Changhua County, Yunlin County, Chiayi County, Tainan City, and Hualien County.
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