China and Japan have stepped in to provide emergency food assistance to Zimbabwe as the southern African nation grapples with the effects of a devastating El Nino-induced drought.
Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding on Thursday handed over 1,760 metric tonnes of rice to President Emmerson Mnangagwa at a ceremony in Harare.
Zhou said the donation is part of China’s ongoing efforts to support Zimbabwe as it tackles widespread food insecurity.
“Right after your Excellency declared the state of national disaster, the Chinese government acted quickly to answer your call for support. So this is a new batch of emergency food assistance to Zimbabwe and China will donate another batch of food assistance this year,” Zhou said.
An estimated 5.9 million Zimbabweans – over a third of the population – are facing severe food shortages this year, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
Mnangagwa applauded the support from China.
“Each time when we have this problem of food insecurity, China has always come to our aid,” he said.
The donated rice is set to be distributed to the country’s most vulnerable populations, including orphanages, elderly care facilities and organisations supporting people with disabilities.
The Chinese assistance came as Japan on the same day contributed US$1.4 million towards a WFP emergency food programme for Zimbabwe.
The Japanese contribution would be used to assist approximately 26,000 people affected by the ongoing El Niño-induced drought in Zimbabwe.
Shinichi Yamanaka, the Japanese ambassador to Zimbabwe, expressed concern over the food insecurity challenges in Zimbabwe and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting the nation in meeting its food security needs.
“I hope that this food assistance will help these vulnerable people to overcome the current crisis,” Yamanaka said.
JN/APA