On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Ambassador Jason C. Yuan, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Feed The Children

On behalf of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Ambassador Jason C. Yuan, Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Mr. Steve Whetstone, on behalf of the Feed The Children, Inc. at the Twin Oaks Estate on April 25th, 2012. Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN), Ms. Barbara J. Schrage, Managing Director of American Institute in Taiwan, and Mr. Mark Powers and Ms. Kirsten Powers, on behalf of Senator James Inhofe(R-OK) also joined the ceremony.

Ambassador Yuan emphasized that enhancing Taiwan’s contributions to international development is one of the three lines of defense that President Ma Ying-jeou has outlined for the ROC’s national security. Based on humanitarian concern, the ROC has assisted allies to self-develop, and has also helped those countries without official diplomatic relation but which have suffered from major disasters. For example, last year Japan was struck by the triple disaster of an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear incident, and the ROC ended up donating more than US $200 million to the Japanese people.

Last week, President Ma just wrapped up a 12-day official visit to Burkina Faso, Gambia and Swaziland, the ROC’s three allies in Africa. During the visits, President Ma also donated funding for all three countries to further develop their economy and society.

Mr. Whetstone expressed appreciation regarding the generosity of the people of the ROC (Taiwan) in aiding the refugees and school children in Kenya. Four hundred metric tons of rice will provide more than 3 million meals to children and families in the eastern regions of Kenya. Three hundred fifty metric tons of rice will provide 27,000 elementary school children a hot meal everyday, improving school performance and attendance. Four hundred more metric tons of rice will be distributed to those who have suffered from the drought disaster in Turkana District.

Congressman Dan Burton (R-IN) expressed his appreciation for the cooperation between Taiwan and FTC. Although Taiwan is small in terms of area and population, the people of Taiwan are always the first to help whoever is in need, whenever they are.

Ms. Barbara J. Schrage, Managing Director from AIT/W, recognized the people of Taiwan and Feed The Children for providing humanitarian aid to those suffering from droughts in Africa.

Ms. Kirsten Powers from the Office of Senator James Inhofe(R-OK) read a letter to Ambassador Yuan that read: “It is with great pleasure that I congratulate Taiwan for donating rice to Kenya through Feed The Children, a well known and respected charity based in my home state of Oklahoma. Thus generous gift signifies Taiwan's committed to helping end Africa's challenging food crises…”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (ROC) in cooperation with the Red Cross Society of ROC, has donated 1,150 metric tons of rice to the Feed The Children, which will distribute the relief rice to primary schools in Mombassa, Kenya, refugee camps in eastern Kenya and impacted communities in Turkana, Kenya. The vessels are estimated to depart from the Port of Taichung starting in late May. All the bags will be labeled with the national flag of the ROC, the emblems of the Red Cross Society of ROC and Feed The Children, as well as “Love from Taiwan” to manifest the common effort to aid those people who are suffering from the famine.

Taiwan and FTC have associated in the past and successfully cooperated in 2005 to deliver 10,000 metric tons of rice to the tsunami ravaged areas in Indonesia. Apart from food aid, in 2006 Taiwan donated 52 containers of new clothing to FTC worth approximately US $17.6 million, which was distributed to more than 16,000 children, orphans, elderly, abandoned and others in need in 11 countries. In 2007, Taiwan donated 5,000 metric tons of rice to Kenya and 5,000 metric tons of rice to Malawi through FTC, to help people in those two countries suffering from famine. In 2011, Taiwan donated 100 metric tons of rice to restart the Mombassa Kenya School Feeding Program, benefiting 27,000 children for 2 school terms. (E)