TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan Embassy in Guatemala donated 990 tons of white rice and launched a public health project in collaboration with the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) and US NGO Food For The Poor on Saturday.

Ambassador Vivia Chang (張俊菲) said the rice donation symbolizes Taiwan's successful cooperation with international NGOs to improve Guatemala's food security, per CNA. She added that the joint healthcare project aims to provide dental, pediatric, and general medical services to 10,000 families in Guatemala.

Mark Khouri, vice chair of Food For The Poor, said the NGO has partnered with Taiwan ICDF for over 20 years in Latin America and the Caribbean. He expressed appreciation for Taiwan’s contributions to food security and public health, which have improved the lives of residents in rural Guatemala.

The donation comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pledged last week to help Guatemala maintain diplomatic relations with Taiwan. “It’s not easy in a world where there is a lot of pressure to change that recognition and to break those ties,” Rubio said.

Guatemala is one of Taiwan’s 11 diplomatic allies. The two countries celebrated 90 years of diplomatic relations in December.