Staff Writer
As the effects of El Niño continue to wreak havoc in Southern Africa, India has stepped in to provide critical humanitarian aid to countries grappling with severe drought and food insecurity.
The Indian government announced a significant extension of assistance to Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, dispatching shipments of food grains to alleviate the crisis.
The El Niño phenomenon, characterised by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the eastern Pacific, has led to widespread drought across Southern Africa, devastating crops and exacerbating food shortages. The region has been particularly hard hit, with millions facing the threat of starvation.
In response to the escalating crisis, India has dispatched shipments of rice and maize from its Nhava Sheva port to the affected countries.
The aid package includes 1,000 metric tonnes of rice for Malawi and Zimbabwe and a first tranche of 1,300 metric tonnes of maize for Zambia.
India has committed to providing a total of 2,500 metric tonnes of maize to Zambia to meet the country’s urgent food needs.
The humanitarian initiative reflects India’s longstanding commitment to South-South cooperation and its unwavering support for Africa.
The Indian government said the assistance embodies its principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam’, the spirit of South-South Cooperation and its unwavering commitment towards Africa as outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“India stands ready to provide assistance to all friendly countries in their hour of need and further cement our longstanding and close ties,” a statement from the Indian government said.
India’s timely intervention offers a lifeline to millions of people in Southern Africa who have been adversely affected by the drought.
Several countries in Southern Africa have declared states of disaster in response to the drought.
This declaration is a formal recognition of the severity of the situation and allows governments to mobilize resources and seek international assistance.
Zimbabwe declared a state of disaster in March 2024, citing the El Niño-induced drought as a major contributor to the crisis.
Zambia also declared a state of disaster due to the drought, which has impacted agriculture and water resources.
Malawi has been severely affected by the drought, and the government has declared a state of disaster to address the humanitarian crisis.
The drought has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Southern Africa with millions of people facing food insecurity, malnutrition, and water shortages.
