On 7 August 2026, Chinese Ambassador Zhou Ding attended and addressed the launch ceremony of the China-aided project combating the impacts of El Niño–induced drought in Zimbabwe. He was joined by Ms. Etona Ekole, UNICEF Representative in Zimbabwe, Hon. Itayi Ndudzi, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, and Hon. Sleiman Timios Kwidini, Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, as well as approximately 300 representatives from local government departments, enterprises, communities, and the media.  

In his remarks, Ambassador Zhou noted that following the declaration of a national state of disaster by the Zimbabwean government in 2024, China responded promptly by providing 10,000 tonnes of wheat and rice and drilling 300 boreholes. The project launched today is financed by the China Global Development and South–South Cooperation Fund and implemented by UNICEF, focusing on nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and child protection in drought-affected areas. It is expected to benefit more than 200,000 local residents, helping improve livelihoods and bolster Zimbabwe’s resilience to climate change.  

Zimbabwean officials commended China’s humanitarian assistance, emphasizing the far-reaching value of the holistic drought relief model. UNICEF pledged to efficiently carry out project delivery, ensuring Chinese aid precisely reaches drought-affected women, children, and local communities.