The European Union has promised € 600 million ($ 630 million) to help vulnerable countries survive the food crisis exacerbated by the Russian war in Ukraine.
The fund includes € 150 million (US $ 158 million) in humanitarian aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries and € 350 million to promote long-term sustainable food production. I am. At the EU Summit in Brussels on Monday, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said, “The war of aggression in Russia is heavy not only for the Ukrainian but also for the most vulnerable people in the world. Is making a pointless sacrifice. ”
“Russia is still blocking millions of tonnes of coveted grain,” she added. “We will mobilize another 600 million euros to help our partners and avoid food crises and financial shocks.”
Russia and Ukraine export almost one-third of the world’s wheat and barley, and more than 70% of sunflower oil, and are the major suppliers of corn. The war prevented about 20 million tonnes of Ukrainian grain from reaching the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Currently, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) predicts that up to 181 million people in 41 countries could be hit by a food crisis or even more severe famine this year.
According to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), focusing on Ukraine means that 10 of the world’s “most ignored” refugee crises in Africa have been ignored, aid and media in various regions. It became clear that the gap in the press was narrowed. The West and Ukraine have accused Moscow of pushing them into concessions by blocking the export of important grain across the Black Sea to arouse fears of global famine.
However, the EU is struggling to counter the Kremlin’s claim that rising prices and deficits in the Middle East and Africa are the result of sanctions imposed by Brock on Russia.
The block sent € 2 billion ($ 2.1 billion) of military aid to Ukraine during the war.
