COTONOU — About 10 Chinese firms in Benin on June 26 provided materials and financial support worth about $122,953 to Benin's government in fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinese ambassador to Benin Peng Jingtao handed over the donation to Benin's Health minister Benjamin Hounkpatin on June 26 in the economic capital Cotonou.

Valued at the total amount of 72.33 million CFA francs (about $122,953), the donation was initiated by the Chinese embassy in Benin. It included sanitary equipment.

"By means of this material and financial donation today, about ten Chinese firms operating in Benin express their solidarity and their support to Benin's people and government in the current fight against COVID-19," Peng Jingtao said at the handover ceremony.

Hounkpatin expressed the gratitude of Benin's people and authorities to the Chinese firms, as he welcomed the donation.

As of June, 25, Benin had reported 1,053 confirmed cases, of which 747 patients were under treatment. There were 292 recoveries and 14 deaths.

The West African country registered its first case on March 16.