Using public stock for foreign aids—18 years of paying it forward
The AFA indicates that as a year plagued with the pandemic, 2020 saw numerous travel bans and border shutdowns between countries. That disrupted the global food supply chain and created numerous logistics challenges, which resulted in significant food shortages and price fluctuations. Many of our allies, especially those that had undergone years of natural disasters or poverty, were in a fragile spot facing the food shortage.
Taiwan’s public rice stock is well replenished, which explains why it manages to carry out the humanitarian act of supplying food to the needy countries despite the threat of the pandemic. The plan is to distribute a total of 36,410 MTs of milled rice to 16 countries including diplomatic allies like Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Eswatini as well as African countries that are in food deficit this year. Those that are in desperate shortage can relieve their hunger with loving Taiwanese rice. As of the end of May, 10,980 MTs of white rice had been donated to friendly nations.
The AFA further expressed that Taiwan first embarked on humanitarian food aids internationally in 2002. Those measures have been carried out gratuitously without impacting domestic food security and disrupting international trades. In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and NGOs, spare rice from the public stock is distributed to countries that are in poverty, famine or suffer from natural disasters. The program has persisted for 18 years uninterrupted. Throughout the years, 400 thousand MTs of milled rice has been delivered to 40 recipient countries spreading across Africa, Central and South America, Asia, and Oceania.
“TaiwanCanHelp” and happily so
The AFA points out that aside from being used in school lunch and domestic food aids, rice in the public stock has also been utilized for in rice made product or for wine distilling and beer brewing. With abundant harvest in recent years, the country has more than sufficient rice in the stock inventory to meet its domestic need and keep on providing food aids to friendly allies.
The donation of rice to Honduras is a multi-year project undertaken by the MOFA. The main goal is to address the food shortage during the country’s drought season. This year’s (2020) rice aids ran into the global outbreak of COVID-19, and Honduras as a country was in lockdown while its economic activities faltered. The donated rice came in as a lifesaver and provided relief to those people that were in dire need.
Tzu Chi Foundation has been aiding people in the Republic of Sierra Leone from 2006 to date. Local people not only benefit by not having to worry about their next meal, but children’s shelters (orphanages) and children’s homes are now able to spend the money saved from rice purchases on vegetables and protein-rich foods. In the long-run, the saving even amounted to shuttle vehicles that could transport kids to/from school or even new shelters, better facilities, and equipment, benefiting more people and improving the life of undernourished children.
Jordan was impacted by the influx of Syrian refugees, which resulted in skyrocketing food prices and unemployment. Refugees and underprivileged Jordanian communities have thus suffered food shortages. World Vision International and Tkiyet Um Ali (a non-governmental organization by the Jordanian royal family) worked together in 2019 to distribute food that was sufficient to feed 150 thousand people for nine months. In doing so, they helped ensure that the human dignity, social coherences, and basic needs of Syrian refugees and Jordanian people are properly looked after and protected.
AFA-contracted processors of public stock rice say that amid the pandemic, they are proud to be part of the country’s effort to provide food aids. Seeing bags of white rice printed with the mark “Taiwan Can Help” entering the container is such a touching and joyful moment. There is no better feeling than giving those in need a hand while sharing the delightful taste of Taiwanese rice with friendly allies.
Public stock for foreign aids is compatible with domestic food security
The AFA emphasizes that Taiwan’s proactive act to support undernourished around the world is about providing help when people need it the most and showcasing our humanitarian spirits. As long as domestic rice stock is above the safe level, the AFA will continue to work with the MOFA and private organizations to provide humanitarian rice aids free of charge. By embracing humanitarianism and fulfilling its international obligation, Taiwan is determined to give love to the world and to be seen by it.
