The Zimbabwe government has recently received a vital US$1 million donation from the Republic of Korea to bolster its food aid relief efforts, as the nation grapples with the devastating effects of an El Niño-induced drought that has severely impacted countless communities.
In April, President Emmerson Mnangagwa declared the drought a state of disaster, yet the government’s transparency regarding the total donations received since then has been notably lacking.
Mnangagwa had made an ambitious appeal for US$3 billion to secure adequate food supplies for the struggling population, but critics argue that the government’s allocation of resources to luxury projects in preparation for the 44th Ordinary SADC Summit demonstrates a concerning misalignment of priorities.
Despite these challenges, the World Food Programme (WFP) praised the Korean donation as timely and vital amidst the lean season, with Deputy Country Director Billy Mwiinga emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in addressing pressing global issues.
This particular donation is expected to sustain approximately 22,000 people, but with reports indicating that around nine million Zimbabweans needed food assistance as of February, the scope of the humanitarian crisis remains alarming and is projected to continue until at least March 2025.
The Korean Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Park Jae Kyung, highlighted the necessity for Zimbabwe to adopt innovative agricultural practices to mitigate the impacts of climate change, which has increasingly manifested through cyclones and droughts.
In response to inquiries regarding the total donations received, Deputy Minister of Public Service Mercy Dinha remained non-committal but acknowledged that the government has reached roughly 50% of food aid distribution thus far.
She pointed out that the appeal for further support is ongoing, and the newly received donation plays a crucial role in aiding those in dire need of food assistance.
More : Newsreportzim.com
