China sends supplies to Malaysia to aid in recovery from flood devestation

World Today

China has recently donated supplies and recovery tools to aid victims from last December’s floods in Malaysia that forced nearly a quarter of a million people from their homes and claimed 18 lives. CCTV’s Rian Maelzer reported this story from Kuala Lumpur.

The donation included nearly 3,000 tents, 400 water pumps, 220 generators and 60 water purification units. Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak accepted the aid donated by Beijing.

“This contribution by the Chinese government is a clear manifestation of the warm and brotherly ties that we enjoy between our two countries, and the contribution by the Chinese government will be deeply appreciated by the government and people of Malaysia,” Razak said.

The floodwaters having largely receded, and most of the displaced have left the evacuation centers for home. However tens of thousands returned to find their homes destroyed.

Two more shipments of tents, generators and other supplies will arrive in the coming days. China’s ambassador to Malaysia said that China will also send 400 temporary homes for flood victims.

As a country that has dealt with its share of natural disasters, China says it can provide more than just material aid.

“Of course we have accumulated many lessons and experience. We would like to share that experience and expertise with our friends in Malaysia. And we also wish to join Malaysia in rebuilding the homeland affected by the floods,” Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang said.