WFP warns of food shortages

Countries hit by an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus face food shortages, a United Nations body said yesterday, adding that China had donated $6 million to its relief effort.

The World Food Programme (WFP) said supplies in the worst-hit countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been threatened at many levels.

"Farmers are abandoning their crops and livestock as they seek areas they perceive as safer away from exposure to the virus," the WFP said in a statement issued in Beijing.

It added that with the donation from China, the WFP "has now received one third of the $179 million it needs for its regional emergency interventions".

Since April more than 9,000 tonnes of WFP food have been provided to nearly 530,000 people directly affected by Ebola, it said.

A global UN appeal for nearly $1 billion to help combat the outbreak which has claimed nearly 4,500 lives has fallen short, with less than $400 million given although a further $226 million is promised.

China on Friday defended its response to the Ebola outbreak, after leaders including US President Barack Obama called on the world to do more to contain the deadly virus.

Beijing's diplomatic and economic footprint across Africa has expanded hugely in recent years as it seeks resources to power its economy.

Since the beginning of the year, China has given West African countries a total of $38.2 million in emergency assistance, including disease prevention and control materials, grain and cash, said Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Thursday announced an additional aid package worth $16.3 million, including ambulances, motorcycles and medical kits, Hong said.