Trucks carrying 50 metric tons of potatoes left Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia to travel to Wuhan — the epicenter of the epidemic in China

— on Feb 17, local officials said.

At the request of the Ministry of Commerce, the government of Inner Mongolia autonomous region urgently reallocated 2,500 tons of potatoes from Ulanqab to go to Wuhan to ensure the food supplies of the virus-hit city.

The potatoes will be transported to Wuhan in batches, with 30 tons of potatoes being transported per day starting Feb 18.

The road convoy is being undertaken by seven drivers and six trucks from the Inner Mongolia branch of China Post.

Workers pack potatoes in a warehouse in Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia on Feb 17. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]