JAPAN has provided food aid worth US$2,8 million in response to the El Niño-induced drought in Zimbabwe that left millions of citizens facing starvation.
Japan ambassador to Zimbabwe, Shinichi Yamanaka revealed this during that country’s National Day celebrations at its Harare embassy on Wednesday.
The day was meant to celebrate His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan.
“Japan responded to the drought challenges in Zimbabwe and provided food aid worth US$2,8 million,” he said.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year declared the drought a national disaster and appealed for US$3 billion in humanitarian assistance.
Government began distributing food aid after receiving support from humanitarian agencies and other partners.
Yamanaka said the Japan International Co-operation Agency was providing support for rice and horticultural crops production in the country.
The two countries are expanding economic ties, with Japan supporting sesame seed production in Zimbabwe, he said.
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“I’m also confident that assistance in the area of education, health, gender and mine clearance through international organisations and NGOs [non-governmental organisations] has brought great relief to the people of Zimbabwe at grassroots level,” he said.
“Another positive development was the resumption of petalite export to Japan after two years. Petalite is essential to produce traditional earthenware pots in Japan. Coffee exports to Japan also resumed after 20 years.”
Foreign Affairs minister Amon Murwira hailed Japan for its support.
“In this light, we acknowledge the co-operation in the implementation of infrastructural development projects that include, the rehabilitation of our highways such as the Hellgate section in Makuti,” he said.
“In the field of agriculture, we are moving in step with Japan to attain food security, as we ensure that our people have prosperous, happy and fulfilling lives.”
