Ukraine decrees $24.3 m food aid to Nigeria, others
Despite suffering crushing blows in the lingering Russian invasion of the country, the government of Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine has decided to send up to 125,000 tons of wheat or corn as humanitarian aid to four countries in Africa and Middle East, including Nigeria.
Militarily weak Ukraine is also an undisputed global grain export factor, playing a significant role in the global fight against hunger in poor countries like oil producing Nigeria which is designated global poverty capital.
Ukraine was invaded by stronger and bigger Russian Federation early in the year; and despite the raging war the country remains the world’s grain supply factor.
According to Cabinet Resolution No. 1313 of Nov. 24, in compliance with Presidential Decree No. 771 of Nov. 14, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the State Service for Emergency Situations should ensure the provision of humanitarian aid goods – wheat grain (no lower than grade 3) or corn grain with a total volume of up to 125,000 tons to the Republic of Sudan, the Republic of Yemen, the Republic of Kenya, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
For this, the Ministry of Finance should allocate UAH 900 million ($24.3 million) to the Ministry of Internal Affairs (for the State Emergency Service) from the reserve fund of the state budget.
Earlier in September, the Cabinet of Ministers had already allocated UAH 420million ($11.4 million) for providing humanitarian aid to Ethiopia and Somalia.
