Ship with Ukrainian grain arrives in Yemen

MOSCOW. April 18 (Interfax) - A ship with Ukrainian grain has arrived in Yemen under the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program, the Ukrainian media said on Tuesday with the reference to the presidential press service.

"MV Negmar Cicek has delivered humanitarian cargo, 30,000 tonnes of wheat, in the port of Salif in the Yemeni Republic," the media said.

This is the sixth grain shipment under the Grain from Ukraine initiative launched to respond to the global food crisis, including in famine-stricken countries, it said.

The Ukrainian grain shipment to Yemen was backed by the UN World Food Program and enjoyed financial assistance of the governments of the United States, France and Spain.

"The Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program we are implementing together with partners helps millions of people in famine-stricken countries," Zelensky said.

Ukraine is helping the world guarantee stability and security despite the crisis, he said.

For instance, 30,000 tonnes of Ukrainian grain will help about 1.7 million residents of Yemen to feed their families for at least one month. Similar steps have been taken by Ukraine together with partners under the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program to support African countries, including Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya.

According to the press service, representatives of Ukraine and Yemen coordinated further joint efforts to ensure food security in the region. Ukraine pledged further support for the Yemeni people.

The Grain from Ukraine program is bound to transport agricultural produce via Ukrainian ports and to prevent famine in the most disadvantaged parts of the world.

Since the beginning of the initiative, Ukraine has shipped 170,000 tonnes of wheat to countries with the direst food situation, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen and Kenya.

Over 30 countries and international organizations, among them the European Union, the United States, Canada, the UK, Japan, South Korea and Qatar, have joined the Grain from Ukraine program and raised over $200-million donations.