Food Crisis: Ukraine to Ship Free Grain to African Countries
- Ukrainian government will provide free grain to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia as humanitarian aid
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs to engage the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations on how the relief food would be delivered to the intended destinations
- Africa is facing one of the worst food crises in history as a result of climate change, with approximately 22 million people facing starvation
- The horn of Africa, which comprises Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia, has been experiencing insufficient rainfall for the last four years
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The government of Ukraine has resolved to ship free grain to African countries facing starvation as a result of prolonged drought.
Ukraine, which is one of the world's biggest exporters of grains, has promised to deliver up to 50,000 metric tons of wheat as humanitarian aid to countries hardest hit by the food crisis.
Ethiopia, Somalia to receive relief food
A statement published on the website of Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers, indicated the Ukrainian government will provide free grain to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia.
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"According to Article 10 of the Law of Ukraine "On Humanitarian Aid", allocate 420 million hryvnias (KSh 1.37 billion) to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to reimburse the cost of wheat grain in the amount of up to 50,000 metric tons for the purpose of providing humanitarian aid the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Federal Republic of Somalia," the statement read in part.
Ukraine to work closely with UN
The foreign affairs ministry was also directed to engage the United Nations (UN) on how the desperately-needed food relief would reach intended destinations.
The UN is reportedly expected to facilitate payment of the grain transportation from the Odesa Sea port to the ports of Ethiopia and Somalia, in collaboration with other international organisations.
Ukraine's national public broadcaster Suspilne reported the free grain will be transferred from State Food and Grain Corporation of Ukraine. The government will reimburse the company for the cost of grain.
Africa facing worst food crisis
The African continent is facing one of the worst food crises in history, with approximately 22 million people facing starvation.
The horn of Africa, which comprises Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia, is the worst hit. The region has been experiencing insufficient rainfall for the last four years, resulting in a climate situation that has never been experienced before in the last 40 years.
Never before have we been facing as many global crises simultaneously as we are today. Today, we not only need to take action against one of the worst global food crises ever, but we also need to make our food systems resilient to future crises. Let us consider this as an opportunity” said Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), during the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF).
Top 10 countries in Africa with more hungry people in 2022
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) had been released, with many governments kicking against the latest report.
This year's report was jointly prepared by the Irish aid agency, Concern Worldwide and Welthhungerhilfe, a German organization.
Five countries in Africa face severe hunger
The 2022 GHI report indicates that hunger is alarming in 5 countries, the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Madagascar, and Yemen.
Source: TUKO.co.ke