2017年CRI China donates 30 tons of food to drought-hit Kenya（在线收听）

Camel herders scoop up water in plastic buckets from one of the few watering holes in the area, to water their animals near the drought-affected village of Bandarero, near Moyale town on the Ethiopian border, in northern Kenya, Friday, March 3, 2017. [Photo: AP]

The Chinese government is stepping in to help drought-stricken areas in Kenya, delivering 30 tons of food aid to the east African country.

One of the most severe drought-stricken areas of Kenya is Makueni County, where failed crops and dying livestock have led to a severe food shortage.

Kenyan parliamentarian Richard Makenga said the 30 tons of food and water provided by the Kenya-China Chamber of Commerce is a welcome relief for communities there.

"The group affected most is of course the elderly people who depend on very small acreage of land, even a quarter an acre where they plant maize and beans, but there's nothing that came out of that shamba, so they are in dire need," said Makenga.

According to Yao Ming, Counselor to Chinese Embassy in Nairobi, the donation is meant to repay Kenya's kindness for providing assistance in the deadly Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008.

"Nine years ago when China suffered from an earthquake, and African countries including Kenyan people offered their generous hands to Chinese people. We still remember the vivid moment. So today, we are coming to return your favor. We are ready and willing to help you," said Yao.

Kenya is one of several countries in Africa affected by a lingering drought.

Famine conditions have already been declared in parts of South Sudan. Parts of Ethiopia and Somalia are also struggling through drought conditions.

The UN is warning that more than 2.7 million people are severely food insecure in the region, suggesting the number of people facing hunger could rise without more international assistance.

Counselor Yao Ming says China stands ready to help in any way it can.

"My embassy will be mobilizing the Chinese community here to do more donations to other regions of Kenya which have been affected by drought. This is just a small step, the first step for the Chinese community to make their contribution on real efforts. We are going to do more in the coming weeks and in the coming months," Yao added.

The Kenyan government has already declared the current drought a national disaster.