BEIJING, Oct. 9 -- China has made a deal with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to provide food aid to three African countries hit by Ebola, the Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday.

China will provide 6 million U.S. dollars to the WFP, which will use the money to procure and send food to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, a statement from the ministry said.

The move is part of a third round of aid by the Chinese government to fight Ebola announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sept. 18.

Food shortages will hit about 1 million people in the three countries due to Ebola in the upcoming months, according to the WFP.