China joins humanitarian sector in Ethiopia
China’s relation with Ethiopia
as well as other African nations has been dominated by trade and
investment. But this week, it took a turn to unexplored territory of the
humanitarian sector as the Chinese government revealed its interest to
engage in humanitarian work in Ethiopia and few other African nations.
The Chinese government has picked
Ethiopia as a model country to expand its presence in the humanitarian
sector in the continent in addition to the already cemented relations in
area of trade and investment.
The Chinese government, through a Chinese humanitarian organization,
the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC), has expressed its interest to
engage in a long-term strategic partnership with Ethiopia in area of
humanitarian assistance.
As a gesture of its commitment to the aid sector, RCSC signed a
partnership agreement with its Ethiopian counterpart, the Ethiopian Red
Cross Society (ERCS), to engage in its first humanitarian assistance.
According to the latest agreement, the Chinese government will begin
its intervention with a pilot project in collaboration with the local
Red Cross in selected areas particularly in Arba Minch – 447km south of
Addis Ababa.
However, according to officials of ERCS, the Chinese will be engaged
in more of an experience sharing in humanitarian services instead of
actual engagement in projects independently since they do not have
substantial experience in the field humanitarian activities outside of
their own country.
“The Chinese have less experience in the field of humanitarian
service. So, we have selected Arba Minch where they engage in education,
health and water development as a first timer. So this particular
intervention area is dedicated for them to gain experience with the
assistance of our organization,” Hagos Gemechu, Deputy Secretary General
of ERCS told The Reporter.
According to Hagos, apart from the pilot project, the Chinese
government showed its long term interest to diversify its commitment in
Ethiopia and few other selected African nations.
In its first assistance business, RCSC has granted school materials
for a selected elementary schools at Arba Minch town worth USD 286,000
which will be spent on chairs and table, generator and ICT materials.
During a material delivery and signing ceremony, the RCSC was represented by La Yifan, Chinese Ambassdor to Ethiopia.
During the occasion, the Chinese Ambassador reiterated his country’s
commitment to be Ethiopia’s strategic partner in the humanitarian
service replicating the growing success the two nation achieve in trade
and business sphere.
Hagos also told The Reporter that they (Chinese government and ERCS)
are discussing strategic partnership to be enable to extend the
experience of the pilot project to a three to five years comprehensive
project.
China and Africa have enjoyed a long-standing friendship and
relations and have developed it continuously as evidenced by a deepening
cooperation in political, economic and cultural areas.
China’s insatiable demand for energy and raw materials responds to
sub-Saharan Africa’s relatively abundant supplies of unprocessed metals,
diamonds, and gold, while offering a growing market for Africa’s
agriculture and light manufactures.
Meanwhile, Western nations have also criticized the relations citing
in particular, the perceived lack of China's respect for human rights
and reluctance to fight corruption.
In addition, China has also provided an impressive development
assistance to Ethiopia on the basis of mutual respect and understanding
and on the principle of non-interference, a document obtained from
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said.
