China avails US$10 million food aid kitty for Zimbabwe

China has pledged an additional US$10 million in food aid to Zimbabwe as part of its ongoing efforts to mitigate the country's worsening food crisis, which has been exacerbated by the worst drought in four decades.

The southern African nation is facing severe food shortages following failed crops, widespread loss of livestock, and crippling water shortages due to the El Nino-induced drought. The dire situation has left a significant portion of the population struggling to access basic food supplies.

Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding, made the announcement on Friday during a reception for the China-Zimbabwe Human Resources Development (HRD) Cooperation 2024, a program aimed at strengthening the ties between the two countries. Ambassador Zhou confirmed that China had already delivered two batches of food assistance valued at around US$6 million and pledged to send another two batches worth more than US$10 million to provide urgent relief to vulnerable communities.

"In response to Zimbabwe's food shortage caused by the El Nino-induced drought, China has delivered two batches of food assistance worth about US$6 million. Another two batches worth more than US$10 million will be delivered soon to address the pressing needs of the most vulnerable communities," Zhou said.

The ambassador also highlighted the significant increase in Chinese investments in Zimbabwe, which reached nearly US$3 billion in the first nine months of the year. This investment surge has been credited with boosting Zimbabwe's tax revenue and creating employment opportunities.

"The robust trade and investment relations between our countries continue to yield benefits for both sides, including a huge increase in tax revenue and employment in Zimbabwe," Zhou added.

In addition to food aid, China has been actively involved in various empowerment programs in Zimbabwe, with a focus on rural development. As part of its commitment to alleviating poverty and supporting the country's development, China has been working on projects such as drilling boreholes to improve access to water in rural areas, building solar-powered facilities like classrooms, and upgrading irrigation systems to aid agricultural production.

Human resources development has been a key focus of the bilateral cooperation between China and Zimbabwe. Over the years, nearly 700 Zimbabweans have participated in training programs covering a wide range of sectors, including education, finance, agriculture, health, public administration, and digital economy. Zhou emphasized that fostering talent is a shared goal for both nations and that such efforts are vital for achieving mutual development.

"Human resources development is an integral part of our cooperation and has always propelled inherent talents toward achieving mutual growth. China is determined to conduct more intensive and extensive cooperation on human resources with Zimbabwe," Zhou stated.

China's pledge for additional food aid and ongoing support for rural development underscores the deepening partnership between the two countries, as Zimbabwe continues to face significant challenges brought about by the ongoing drought crisis.