On Monday, March 20, the Valsamitis vessel delivered a humanitarian cargo of 30 thousand tons of wheat to the Kenyan port of Mombasa. This is the fifth vessel to deliver Ukrainian grain to Africa as part of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program established to overcome the global food crisis, particularly in countries most affected by hunger.
The official ceremony of receiving the cargo was attended by Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya Rigathi Gachagua, Ambassador of Ukraine to the Republic of Kenya Andrii Pravednyk, and ambassadors of the donor countries. Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh, an ambassador of the International Coordination Group for the Prevention of Hunger (ICGPH), which ensures the functioning of Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program, also arrived in Mombasa to take part in the event.
The shipment of this batch of Ukrainian grain took place with the support of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), as well as with the financial assistance from the governments of the United Kingdom, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.
The total amount of agricultural products transferred to African countries under the President's Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program is over 140 thousand tons.
"Today, almost 350 million people on our planet are suffering from hunger. Ukraine suffers daily from endless shelling and destruction caused by Russia's military aggression. However, as part of the civilized world, we will never give up our joint participation in overcoming global challenges, including food security. Therefore, despite the gravity of the situation Ukraine is facing today, we will continue not only to bravely confront the enemy, but also to do everything possible to help countries whose citizens face food shortages, particularly in Africa and Asia," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Head of the International Coordination Group for the Prevention of Hunger, added: "Ukraine has always been one of the main suppliers of wheat in the world. Before the war, African countries imported more than $1.4 billion worth of wheat from Ukraine. Today, in Kenya alone, millions of people are at risk of facing acute food shortages. Therefore, the shipment of Ukrainian grain to this country reinforces our commitment to overcome forced hunger in the most vulnerable countries in Africa through the Grain from Ukraine program."
According to rough estimates by the UN World Food Programme, the 30,000 tons of grain delivered within the Grain from Ukraine initiative will provide bread for about 2 million people for 1.5 months.
Launched by the President of Ukraine, the Grain from Ukraine humanitarian program aims to ensure the transportation of agricultural products through Ukrainian ports and prevent hunger in the world's most vulnerable countries. The program is supported by the International Coordination Group for the Prevention of Hunger (ICGPH), which is headquartered in Odesa. The ICGPH operates under the leadership of the President of Ukraine. The group is chaired by the Head of the Presidential Office. The ICGPH includes representatives of governments, corporations, NGOs, international partners and private philanthropists who have a direct impact on meeting the food needs of millions of people around the world.
More than 30 countries and international organizations, including EU member states, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, and Qatar, have joined the Grain from Ukraine program, raising more than $200 million in donations.