Chinese President Xi Jinping offered his message of condolences to Colombia after the Latin American country was hit by devastating floods and landslides on Saturday, killing over 200 people, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.
The Chinese leader "extended his deep condolences to the victims, and sincere sympathy to the afflicted and the families of the victims," the article wrote.
On behalf of the government and the Chinese people, Xi remarked that the country will be providing aid in disaster relief as well as in post-disaster reconstruction.
Xi is optimistic that the Colombians can overcome the disaster and rebuild their country under the administration of President Juan Manuel Santos.
According to news reports, the flooding and landslides took the lives of at least 254 people and injured over 200 others in Colombia's southwestern city of Mocoa.
The disaster came as torrential rain caused rivers to burst their banks in the early hours of Saturday. Mud, water and debris then crashed down the city streets and residential areas.
Meanwhile, President Santos believes that the disaster was brought about by climate change. He revealed that last Saturday, Mocoa received a third of its average amount of monthly rain.
Santos, who visited the city on Sunday, called on Colombians to take the necessary precautionary measures whenever there are flooding and heavy downpour.
The Colombian leader also expressed his gratitude toward China and the Inter-American Development Bank for their immediate support. The two have donated $1 million and $200,000 respectively.
The Colombian government is offering $6,400 worth of aid to the families of the dead. It will also shoulder hospital and funeral expenses.
In 2015, the city of Mocoa, which serves as the capital of the Putumayo department, was also hit by a landslide, killing around 100 people. Colombia's deadliest landslide was recorded in 1985 when about 20,000 of the 29,000 inhabitants of the town of Armero were killed.