Tchad receives substantial rice donation to combat food insecurity
The Republic of Chad has welcomed a significant humanitarian gesture from the People’s Republic of China, which donated 1,770 metric tons of rice. This contribution was officially received in N’Djamena on June 16, 2026, at the Radisson Blu hotel, during a ceremony presided over by Minister of Social Action Zara Mahamat Issa.
Strengthening bilateral ties through solidarity
Minister Zara Mahamat Issa highlighted the depth of the relationship between Chad and China, calling the donation a symbol of genuine friendship and mutual support. She invoked a Chinese proverb—”In adversity, even a grain of rice is worth its weight in gold”—to emphasize how critical this assistance is for vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons, refugees, and households struggling with economic hardship.
The Minister also acknowledged the timing of the donation, which arrives as Chad faces compounded challenges from climate-related disruptions and regional instability. She stressed that this aid will complement ongoing national efforts led by President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno to stabilize food supplies and enhance resilience among communities.
ONASA’s commitment to transparent distribution
Ahmat Mahamat Kosseï, Director General of Chad’s National Office for Food Security (ONASA), expressed deep gratitude for the timely support. He noted that ONASA has a long-standing partnership with China, having received previous donations of 5,000 tons in 2014 and 2017, 5,966 tons in 2019, and smaller but vital contributions in 2022 and 2025. ONASA has pledged to ensure this latest shipment is distributed with full transparency, efficiency, and fairness to those most in need.
Ambassador Wang Xining of China reinforced this commitment during the ceremony, emphasizing that the donation is part of a broader strategy to address immediate food shortages while fostering long-term agricultural development in Chad. He pointed out that China provides an average of nearly 2 billion CFA francs worth of cereal aid annually to Chad, alongside investments in community projects by Chinese businesses and expatriates.
The Ambassador also underscored that while material aid is vital, it is only a temporary solution. He cited the Chinese saying, “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; teach him to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” In line with this principle, China has deployed agricultural missions to Chad to introduce high-yield crop varieties and modern farming technologies, aiming to build local capacity and self-sufficiency.
Ambassador Wang highlighted Chad’s immense agricultural potential, citing abundant water resources, abundant sunlight, fertile soil, and a hardworking population. He described 2026 as a pivotal year, with both nations aligning their development strategies and China implementing zero-tariff policies for goods from African countries with diplomatic ties to China.
The ceremony concluded with a visit to the Chagoua FDAR warehouse in the 7th arrondissement of N’Djamena, where the donated rice will be stored before distribution.
