India provides drought assistance

India provides drought assistance The government of India has announced that it will provide 1 000 tonnes of grain, comprising of rice and pearl millet (mahangu), to Namibia.

This will assist Namibia to cope with the current drought situation, which has been declared a state of emergency.

Indian high commissioner to Namibia, Prashant Agrawal, said in keeping with the close and fraternal ties between the two countries, India stands with the people and government of Namibia in their hour of need.

According to a statement issued by the high commission, India had also provided 1 000 tonnes of rice in 2016 to Namibia to assist with drought during that year.

“As part of its deep commitment to Africa, India has been among the first responders to natural disasters, swiftly acting to provide relief to affected people and communities, including the recent Cyclone Idai that affected several southern African countries,” the statement said.

This is the third time in six years that the Namibian government has declared a state of emergency as a result of drought. Drought was also declared a national crisis in 2013 and 2016.

STAFF REPORTER