India dispatches 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to drought

India has dispatched a consignment of 1,000 metric tons of rice to Malawi following the drought caused by the El Nino effect, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement.

On a post on X Jaiswal highlighted “India–Malawi partnership for food security. To support Malawi’s efforts towards food security following the drought caused by the El Niño effect, India has dispatched a humanitarian consignment of 1,000 metric tons of rice from the Nhava Sheva Port to the people of Malawi. A reiteration of India’s continued commitment to supporting partners in the Global South and advancing the spirit of South–South cooperation.”

Over 4 million people (roughly 20 per cent of the population) are facing acute food shortages in the South-East African nation, leading to increased malnutrition and families skipping meals.

The crisis is driven by the El Niño weather pattern, causing erratic rainfall, and has led to the drying up of major water bodies like Lake Chilwa.

The Malawi government has declared a state of disaster.

(IANS)