Africa: First Shipment of Ukrainian Grain Sets Sail for Africa

After a deal to end the global food crisis, a UN-chartered cargo of grain was sent from Ukraine to Africa.

The MV Brave Commander, which left Pivdennyi, a Black Sea port on Tuesday, will sail to Djibouti to “deliver to Ethiopia”, Ukraine’s Infrastructure Ministry. said Tuesday.

The ship carries 23,000 tonnes of wheat.

This is the first UN World Food Programme-chartered ship to leave Ukraine since February’s Russian invasion. The Kyiv government said It expects that at least two to three other similar shipments are soon to follow.

📣TODAY: WFP ships with wheat grain are the first to leave #UkraineThis was an important step in reducing food prices and providing a lifeline for humanitarian operations. The shipment was possible thanks to emergency funding from @USAIDSavesLives Howard G Buffett Foundation and other donors.– World Food Programme August 16, 2022

Black sea blockade lifted

Russia and Ukraine are two of the largest grain exporters in the world. Last month, they reached a deal through the UN and Turkey to allow Black Sea grain deliveries to be unblocked after Russia invaded.

The agreement lifted the Russian blockade on Ukraine’s ports, and opened safe passageways through the naval mines placed by Kyiv.

The Ukrainian port authority said Five boats carrying an average cargo weight of 110,000 tonnes left Ukraine Tuesday.

The 1st commercial ship carrying grain was launched on August 1. 21 vessels have left Ukrainian ports since then.

The WFP reports that a record 345 million people live in 82 countries with acute food insecurity. In 45 countries, up to 50 millions people are facing famine. Without humanitarian aid, they could tip the scales.