Taiwan donates rice to Guatemala volcano disaster relief

Taipei, June 21 (CNA) Taiwan's government is donating 1,000 metric tons of rice to Guatemala, one of its diplomatic allies, to support ongoing disaster relief efforts in the country following the Fuego volcano eruption earlier this month, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday.

The humanitarian aid is expected to arrive in the Central American nation by August, according to the foreign ministry.

On Wednesday, a ceremonial event attended by Vice Foreign Minister Jose Maria Liu (劉德立) and Guatemalan Ambassador to Taiwan Olga María Aguja was held in Taoyuan to mark the donation, with rice loaded onto a container destined for Guatemala.

At least 110 people were killed, 12,000 evacuated and 197 remain missing after the eruption on June 3, according to the foreign ministry.

Among the areas affected, Sacatepequez province was hardest hit by the eruption and a state of emergency remains in force, it said.

MOFA spokesman Andrew Lee (李憲章) told CNA that the donation follows the US$100,000 donated just days after the eruption, including emergency rations such as water and noodles sent to victims on the ground.

The government will continue to assist Guatemala by providing all necessary aid to those affected by the natural disaster, Lee said.