By Bisola Adeyemo
Following the food shortage caused by the poor rainy season in Zambia, no fewer than 3,099 tons of maize was donated by China to Zambia farmers.
While handling over the maize to Zambia Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane during a ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Zambia Li Jie said the maize grains were meant for people facing food shortages. Xinhua reports.
According to him, global climate change has led to frequent extreme weather and that Zambia has suffered extreme climate disasters such as floods and drought.
“As an all-weather friend, China understands the need and generously responded to the demands of Zambia, and quickly made a decision to provide humanitarian emergency food aid,” he said.
Zambian minister appreciated China effort “the government of China has continuously shown that they are a friend that can be relied upon when Zambia needs a shoulder to lean on,” he said.
China, he said, has in the recent past been actively involved in Zambia’s disaster risk reduction programs including response to disaster-prone areas.
According to him, a total of 296,438 people or 49,406 households from 18 districts needs food aid for a period of six months from October 2021 to March 2022.
Joshua Kamanya, DMMU acting National Coordinator, said Zambia experienced great drought and flooding between 2018 to 2020 while armyworms and locusts left many families food insecure.
He expressed happiness that China was among countries that responded to food assistance, adding that the donation of the maize will help the vulnerable families.
