20 Feb 2023 14:19

Zelensky insists on seeing Ukraine as guarantor of global food security

MOSCOW. Feb 20 (Interfax) - Ukraine has been and is a guarantor of global food security, and it will continue to make its key contribution to it, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said.

"Owing to the joint efforts of Ukraine, partner countries, and the World Food Program, 110,000 tonnes of grain has been shipped to Ethiopia and Somalia. The MV Valsimitis started being loaded with 25,000 tonnes of grain for Kenya in Chernomorsk on February 15. It has also been decided to deliver shipments to Yemen, Sudan, and Nigeria. Each vessel carrying grain shipped under Grain From Ukraine provides on average about 90,000 people with food," Ukrainian media quoted Zelensky as saying in a social media post on Saturday.

To bolster the grain initiative, the hunger prevention group has been joined by first ambassadors, i.e. former Malawian President Joyce Banda, former Nigerian Education Minister and former World Bank Vice President Obiagele Ezekwesili, and Senior Associate and Regional Director for Central and West Africa Programs at the National Democratic Institute Christopher Fomunyoh, who are expected to facilitate the scaling up of the project, Zelensky said.