The first humanitarian shipment of grain that left Ukraine on August 16 for the Horn of Africa has arrived in Ethiopia, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric announced on Thursday.
The Brave Commander ship carrying 23,000 tons of wheat was chartered by the World Food Program (WFP) which is active in Ethiopia where 20 million people need food aid, which need has been intensified by conflicts, drought and rising costs.
Ukraine is one of the world’s leading grain exporters, supplying more than 45 million tons per year to the world market. But its invasion by Russia since February 24 has interrupted exports, causing a record rise in food prices.
Deliveries are again possible thanks to an agreement on the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea, signed between Russian and Ukrainian ministers, under the auspices of the United Nations and Turkey, despite the conflict between the two countries which continues.
According to Dujarric, speaking at his regular press briefing, the cereals arriving in Ethiopia are being unloaded at the main WFP warehouse in Adama town, and will be distributed in the coming weeks.
However, their delivery to people in need could be delayed by the fighting which has resumed since August 24 in Tigray between the rebels of this region in northern Ethiopia and the federal army, after a truce of three month.
“Our humanitarian colleagues told us that the fighting in the north of the country continued to affect vulnerable people and the delivery of aid. In parts of the Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions, tens of thousands of people are believed to have been displaced by fighting and insecurity,” the UN spokesman said.
For its part, the United Nations Humanitarian Aid Coordination Office (Ocha) indicated in its latest situation report that the resumption of violence « is already affecting the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people, including the distribution of vital humanitarian aid” in certain regions (Afar, Amhara and Tigray).
According to Ocha, « the last convoy to enter Tigray before the interruption is that of August 23, consisting of 158 trucks carrying humanitarian aid and equipment intended for operations ».
By OMA Newsletter N° 850 of 09/09/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
