Thursday September 8, 2022
Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations
China on Wednesday called on the international community to make the utmost efforts to prevent a humanitarian disaster in Somalia in the face of a persistent drought that affects the livelihood of nearly half of the population.
"The international community should accelerate its humanitarian response, increase its assistance, and make the utmost efforts to prevent a humanitarian disaster," Dai Bing, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, told the Security Council briefing on Somalia.
Dai noted that there is a dire humanitarian situation in Somalia, with significant risks of famine and malnutrition, and that China supports the UN's emergency relief efforts in the Horn of Africa.
"We also welcome the implementation of the highly indebted poor country's initiative for Somalia by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank, which helps the country tide over its difficulties through resistance and debt relief," he said.
"China feels deeply for the current difficulties of the people in Somalia," said Dai, noting that China signed the exchange of letters this June with Somalia on emergency food assistance.
"We will accelerate the assistance process, and do everything we can to help Somalia respond to the drought and jointly discuss lasting solutions to prevent and mitigate disasters," he added.
Talking about the security situation in the country, Dai said that President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, since his inauguration, has strengthened dialogue and reconciliation and promoted international cooperation, creating a good start for his new administration. China appreciates such efforts and welcomes the convening by parties in Somalia of a national consultative council meeting in June to agree on seven priorities for national development."
"We believe the parties will continue to promote peace and reconstruction in the spirit of cooperation," said the envoy.