China-Zimbabwe ties were strengthened as China donates more than 12,000 tons of rice to Zimbabwe. The donation will be used to help people affected by the drought which had inflicted chaos to the country last year.
The donation was China’s response to Zimbabwe's international food aid appeal in 2016.
According to Public Service, Labor and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira, the Chinese donation would also reach families affected by the floods in February of the current year.
During the signing ceremony with the Chinese Embassy on Monday, Mupfumira said that the rice donation is expected to arrive at Zimbabwe by June.
Prior to this agreement, Beijing has already given 19,000 tons of rice to Zimbabwe. The rice has already been given out to the impoverished Zimbabweans.
"Today we are witnessing another contribution from China where they are donating 12,173 tons of rice to Zimbabwe. We appreciate the gesture made by China," Mupfumira said.
On March 31, China has given over $1 million financial assistance to Zimbabwe. In February, the country was devastated by flood, leaving thousands of families devastated.
The Red Cross Society of China has also given $50,000 to aid the victims of the flood. On the other hand, the Chinese community in Zimbabwe contributed to raising $10,000 donation.
Starting October 2016, the Zimbabwe government had given out 481,073 tons of corn to the needy across the country, the minister said.
In February, Cyclone Dineo worsened the heavy rains in Zimbabwe. The calamity left 271 people dead and injured 128 people. Nearly 2,000 Zimbabweans became homeless.
Lightning strikes, drowning and landslides are the major cause of deaths, the Civil Protection Unit said.
On March 2, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe declared a State of Flood Disaster. The declaration paved the way for the launch of domestic and international appeal.
The country has already received about $189 million to assist the calamity victims and to rebuild infrastructures including homes, roads, bridges, dams, schools, water and sanitation.
China continues to lend a hand to Zimbabwe, fortifying China-Zimbabwe ties.