FREETOWN — China donated food items estimated $2 million to Ebola-ravaged Sierra Leone where over 9,000 confirmed, probable and suspected cases have been reported.

The food items, including rice, corn, soy beans and yellow split peas, are donated through the World Food Program (WFP).

At the handover ceremony in Freetown on Dec 29, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone Zhao Yanbo recalled the concern shown by President Xi Jinping since the outbreak and the steps Sierra Leone has made to contain and eradicate the virus in the country.

He said that the 40 year relationship with Sierra Leone is an obligation to extend fraternal assistance in the fight against the Ebola disease.

He observed that since the outbreak many districts have been isolated, and as a result there has been challenges including food shortage. The items are meant for the affected communities and families. Zhao hoped the items will benefit the affected areas.

Receiving the items on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone, Foreign Minister Samura Kamara expressed appreciation and described the gesture as a direct meaningful humanitarian aid to the Sierra Leone population.

This assistance is part of the Chinese government’s support to fight the Ebola virus. China was one of the first countries to come to the aid of the country as the outbreak occurred.