India has stepped up to assist drought-stricken Malawi by sending 1,000 metric tonnes of rice as part of humanitarian aid. The Southeast African nation has been grappling with severe dry spells, which have had a devastating impact on agricultural production, causing widespread crop damage and food shortages. The drought, attributed to the El Nino phenomenon, has left Malawi in a dire situation, prompting the government to declare a state of disaster in March for 23 out of its 28 districts.
The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, announced the shipment on ‘X’ on Saturday, stating, “Humanitarian assistance in solidarity with the people of Malawi. A consignment of 1000MT rice departed today for Malawi, to address the consequences of the severe drought caused by El Nino phenomenon.”
This significant aid shipment from India is expected to provide much-needed relief to the Malawian people, who are struggling to cope with the devastating effects of the drought. The rice will contribute to addressing the food shortages and help in alleviating the hardship faced by the affected population.
