Ukraine to hand over food under Grain from Ukraine hum program to African countries
Photo: facebook.com/oleksandr.kubrakov
Ukraine purchased 50,000 tons of grain for the first two ships within the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program with state funds.
The Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, Mykola Solskyi, said this in an interview with DW.
What is the problem?
In some African countries, there are already problems with hunger.
What is the solution?
Under the auspices of President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program, which will be implemented in partnership with the World Food Program, began work on November 15.
Within the program's framework, Ukraine directs part of the harvested wheat, which was sent for export, to purchase food for those African countries where there are already problems of hunger. Part of the export grain can be purchased by the states participating in the project; Ukraine will supply it to poor African countries.
The first vessel under the Grain from Ukraine program is heading through the "grain corridor" to Ethiopia with 27,000 tons of Ukrainian wheat on board.
How does it work?
"Yes, for recipients of grain (within the Grain from Ukraine program), these deliveries are free. Ukraine is starting; everyone else is joining. There will be money and efforts from all countries, but the grain will be Ukrainian. It is bought from Ukrainian traders, who are already purchasing it from Ukrainian farmers. Thus, grain for two ships was purchased at the expense of Ukrainian state funds. For other ships, it will be purchased at the expense of other countries due to negotiations and tenders on absolutely transparent terms," the government official said.
According to Solskyi, Ukraine spent UAH 420 million from the reserve fund to purchase 50,000 tons of grain. Japan and Germany paid ship freight. The first two ships will deliver grain to Ethiopia and Somalia. One of the ships has already left the port, and the other should be loaded in December.
Countries that can join the process are determined during negotiations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the World Food Program, and other African countries: Yemen, Sudan, Congo, and Nigeria.
In addition, there is an analysis of the food situation, which shows where it is worst, where there are problems with access to food, and where it is logistically possible to quickly deliver agricultural products because not all these countries have ports.
"The President of Ukraine announced Grain from Ukraine. Other countries are also joining the initiative. Among them is Germany, which also paid for the freight of the first vessels. The number of ships will increase every month depending on the needs and logistical capabilities, as well as on the extent of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure to work normally," the minister stressed.
