Kyiv, 15 August 2022 (TDI): Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, Denise Brown stated that the first humanitarian shipment under the Black Sea Grain Initiative will assist the UN and partners in saving the lives of people in the Horn of Africa.
“This 1st humanitarian shipment under the Black Sea Grain Initiative will help the @UN & partners to save lives & alleviate the suffering of millions who are struggling to put food on their table in the Horn of Africa,” says Denise Brown, Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/CD22iFJ1rh
— OCHA Ukraine (@OCHA_Ukraine) August 14, 2022
According to the Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine, the goal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative is to assist the Ukrainian people.
Moreover, at a time when the war is also destroying Ukraine’s economy, the shutdown of ports had left hundreds of thousands of people without a means of subsistence.
Furthermore, she added that people in Ukraine need to be reached and assisted no matter where they are. The UN and partners require unhindered access as they have been prevented from sending supplies across the front line since the war initiated.
Black Sea Grain Initiative
The Black Sea Grain Initiative will establish a humanitarian maritime corridor to allow ships to export grain, other foodstuffs, and fertilizers from Ukraine. The Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) will facilitate the implementation of the initiative.
The JCC was founded in Istanbul on July 27, 2022. The JCC comprises representatives of Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Türkiye, and the United Nations.
Also read: ICC pledges support to Black Sea Grain Initiative
Moreover, the JCC was established as a result of the realization of the critical importance of maintaining global food security. Also, it had a significant dependency on the supply of grain and other foodstuffs produced in the region.
First shipment bound for the Horn of Africa
According to the UN, the first shipment of wheat to leave Ukraine since the conflict with Russia began is headed for Africa to help the continent cope with a severe drought.
This sea captain is preparing to cross the maritime humanitarian corridor to Ukraine under the #BlackSeaGrainInitiative.
Resumption of food exports from #Ukraine is essential to tackle global food insecurity. pic.twitter.com/6ctJjvHfi0
— OCHA Ukraine (@OCHA_Ukraine) August 13, 2022
Therefore, the ship is setting sail for the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti with the wheat set to go to the World Food Program’s operations in Ethiopia. Also, the initiative will support the region’s drought response efforts as the threat of famine stalks the region.
Additionally, the Spokesperson of UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric stated that “This is the first shipment of humanitarian food assistance under the Black Sea Grain Initiative.”
