NEW DELHI: India has extended a grant of USD one million to Zimbabwe, responding to an appeal by the African nation for help to deal with severe drought caused by El Nino phenomenon.
External Affairs Ministry said Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe R Masakui handed over the grant to Dr Misheck Sibanda, Chief Secretary to President Robert Mugabe.
India also said logistical modalities are being worked out for donating 500 metric tonnes of rice as part of the second phase of assistance.
Zimbabwe is facing worst drought in two decades induced by the El Nino phenomenon, a warming of sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, that devastated its agricultural sector.
An estimated 2.4 million people are now facing food crisis in the country.
Sibanda thanked India for the quick response to its appeal and said his country was happy with the "sound relationship" between the two countries.
"Last week, Indian Ambassador to Zimbabwe handed over USD one Million to the Government of Zimbabwe as a grant from government of India in response to the appeal made by Zimbabwe.
"Accepting the grant, Misheck Sibanda, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet thanked for the quick response by the government of India," the External Affairs Ministry said.
Referring to the ties between the two countries, Sibanda talked about cooperation between the two countries in critical sectors of the economy such as small and medium enterprises, information communication technology, energy, education and pharmaceuticals.