China provides humanitarian aid to quake-hit Ecuador

Quito, April 28: The Chinese has government delivered 60 million yuan (about $9.5 million) worth of humanitarian aid materials to the victims of the deadly April 16 earthquake in Ecuador.

Four planeloads of aid arrived at the Mariscal Sucre International Airport of Quito, the capital of Ecuador on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

One more cargo plane reach Ecuador on Thursday.

The aid, which consists of 5,400 tents, 9,999 folding beds and other supplies, has been immediately sent to quake-ravaged Manta and will house the homeless for several months.

Ecuador's first vice president of the National Assembly Rossana Alvarado, Defense Minister Ricardo Patino, and Foreign Minister Guillaume Long welcomed the arrival of the Air China cargo planes at the airport.

Chinese Ambassador Wang Yulin said that his country was shocked by the tragedy in Ecuador. Through the delivery of humanitarian aid, China wishes to express its solidarity with the Ecuadorian government and people.

"China and Ecuador are two friendly countries and our two peoples are brothers. At this difficult time, China is with Ecuador and is more than willing to actively participate in the reconstruction of the affected areas," said the Chinese diplomat, hoping that under the leadership of President Rafael Correa, "the Ecuadorian people will overcome the temporary difficulties."

This aid is in addition to the donation of $2 million delivered last week by the Chinese government, along with $100,000 donated by the Red Cross of China.

IANS