Ukraine launches the Grain from Ukraine initiative to deliver 60 ships with grain to African countries
On the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor, Ukraine is launching the Grain from Ukraine initiative, within the framework of which, by the middle of next year, about 60 ships with grain are planned to be sent to the poorest countries in Africa.
This was stated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the opening of the International Summit on Food Security in Kyiv.
According to him, almost 50 ships left Ukrainian ports – that’s 12 million tons of agricultural products for 40 countries of the world. The President of Ukraine notes that Russia is trying to delay the passage of ships, in particular, the queue in the Bosphorus is 80 ships.
– Even as Ukraine struggles with food shortages, devastated farmland and widespread blackouts, we will never forget our role as a responsible citizen of the world, especially as a nation that has survived famine. Africa is in desperate need of food. Ukraine is ready to support vulnerable people in difficult times, – the head of state emphasizes.
Zelenskyy notes that they plan to send ships with food to humanitarian hotspots, including Sudan, Yemen and Somalia.
Germany, Canada, Belgium and France allocate financial aid to support the initiative. In particular, Germany will contribute €15 million, Canada – about 30 million Canadian dollars (about $22.4 million), Belgium – €10 million, and France – another €6 million to the previously allocated $14 million in humanitarian funding.
The global food shortage has increased in recent years and is further exacerbated by Russia’s occupation of parts of Ukraine, the Canadian government notes.
