China-aided borehole drilling project to help Zimbabwe combat drought

The China-aided 300-borehole drilling project was launched in Zimbabwe in Mahusekwa, a town in Mashonaland East Province, on July 22, with  Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding and Zimbabwean Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe in attendance. 

As Zimbabwe is hit by severe drought this year, China has promptly provided emergency food assistance and accelerated the launch of the project to drill 300 boreholes for water in four provinces across the country, Zhou said in his address at the launch. 

Zhou said China has implemented multiple small-yet-smart people’s livelihoods projects in Zimbabwe based on the traditional friendship between the two countries. China will continue to contribute to Zimbabwe’s food security under the Global Security Initiative and the Global Development Initiative, Zhou noted.

Garwe thanked China for its generous assistance to Zimbabwe in the face of the drought, and spoke highly of China's long-term support to his country in areas such as agriculture, water conservation and people's livelihoods.

Around 400 people, including Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Apollonia Munzverengwi and representatives of Zimbabwean government agencies and local communities, attended the launch ceremony.