China has donated tonnes of wheat flour, rice sugar, cooking oil, saucepans and canvas to people displaced by flooding and violence in war-torn South Sudan.
The Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, representing the Chinese government, expressed hope for South Sudan's government to work to end violence.
"China hopes that South Sudan could achieve lasting peace at an early date, it hopes that all parties in South Sudan could put national interest and people's well-being first, focus on domestic economic and social development and continue to create a good environment for peace and stability so that people can live a good life," said Ma Qiang, Chinese Ambassador to South Sudan.
South Sudan's ministry of humanitarian affairs says the need for aid is growing due to floods and conflict.
The government says it needs more international support to properly address that influx of internally displaced people and refugees.
"This food would really be very useful. This is a rainy season now. The people want to go back, but they couldn't go back to no home. So, canvas would be very useful for covering, because the walls are not destroyed, only the roofs are burnt. The canvas will be very useful for covering the roofs, and those [in] which the walls are destroyed. Even the canvas can be used to cover the walls because the people want to go back to cultivate," said Betty Achan Ogwaro, Member of Parliament, South Sudan.
Efforts are underway to address immediate needs on the ground and China is also working to help provide longer-term assistance.
The Chinese government says it's ready and willing to share development experience in fields such as agriculture and mining to help South Sudan diversify its economy.
According to the United Nations World Food Program, nearly 7.7 million out of the 12 million people in South Sudan are facing severe food insecurity as conflict escalates, and with more people arriving from Sudan fleeing violence, the number of people in need is only going higher.
China donates aid to people displaced by floods, violence in South Sudan
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
