India Government donated 1000 metric tonnes of rice to Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable groups in Harare on Thursday.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, India Ambassador Masakui Rungsung said the donation is a symbol of the relationship between Harare and Mumbai and felt that the token donation is timely as the pandemic has made the food shortage even more acute in Zimbabwe.
“The fulcrum of our relationship is the invincibles of historical ties, shared history and cultural heritage since time immemorial”, said Rungsung.
Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Honourable Professor Paul Mavima thanked the good gesture from the India Government and said Zimbabwe will focus on resilience building programme in vulnerable districts.
“This season Zimbabwe has not realised a good harvest in most parts of the country. Currently a total of 735, 455 food insecure households are receiving 36, 772,75 mt of maize per month”.
“Due to the current situation which seen the country’s number of food insecure households increasing , the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme has been extended to urban provinces receiving cash transfers on a monthly basis”, said Minister Mavima.
Minister Mavima added that the rice donation will go a long way in complementing Government efforts of alleviating hunger.
El Nino droughts and Cyclone Idai has resulted in food shortages and the pandemic has exarcebated the food insecurity situation the country has been grappling with in the past two years.
The distribution of the rice will focus on vulnerable households who include the elderly, chronically ill, persons with disabilities and child headed households, flood victims, victims of other natural disasters, registered institutions accommodating vulnerable children, schools feeding programs and hospitals.
Representatives from selected institutions to receive the rice donation graced the hand over ceremony.SODA old people’s Home, Jairos Jiri, Bumhudzo Old people’s Home, Hupenyu Hutsva and Northcot representatives were in attendance.
Northcot institution caters for children who are in conflict and contact with the law.Northcot superintendent Faith Karumbidza thanked the kind gesture by India Government.
“It will go a long way in cushioning the vulnerable groups throughout the country. It will also supplement government efforts in taking care of children’s needs at our insitituion”, she said.
Maskui Rungsung also revealed that one of India’s largest agriculture equipment manufacturer Sonalika has offered Zimbabwe an equipment with financing facility worth US$60 million to start with that which can be ultimately pushed up to US$200 million. The terms are favorable that is 12 years repayment terms with 2 years grace period at 3,5 interest rate.
“I would like to recall the commitment made by my Vice President during his visit in 2018 to assist Zimbabwe by deputing in five areas including an expert in the area of agriculture.
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