Agencies welcome end to blockade of Ukraine grain export, but urge UK to reinstate aid to countries facing famine

Wheat field in Ukraine. Photo by Polina Rytova on Unsplash

Source: CAFOD/Christian Aid

Aid agencies have welcomed the news that Ukraine and Russia have signed a UN-backed deal to allow the export of millions of tonnes of grain and oil seeds from blockaded Black Sea ports. But they warn that this will not be enough to avert the threat of a catastrophic global food crisis.

The price of wheat fell on global markets, after the news of the deal emerged. Ukraine is one of the world's largest grain producers and Russia has been blockading its major Black Sea ports for many months. The world shortage of Ukrainian grain has sent food prices soaring and left millions at risk of hunger. CAFOD and Christian Aid are among agencies supporting countries at particular risk of malnutrition and famine due to a catalogue of shocks including climate change, soaring food prices and rising instability.

In a statement Graham Gordon, Head of Policy at CAFOD said: "We welcome the signing of the deal to export grain from Ukraine, but on its own this will not avert the devastating global food crisis we are witnessing. We must prioritise countries who are now facing starvation, some of whom have over a 60% dependency on its import.

The blockade has shone a spotlight on the fragility and brokenness of our food systems, which are at the mercy of climate change, mounting conflict and unstable food prices. CAFOD has seen how in East Africa, Afghanistan, and Lebanon in particular, communities have been pummelled by this catalogue of shocks, reaching critical levels of malnutrition. The UK government must reinstate its life-saving aid to these countries and invest seriously in building resilient, diverse food systems, which put local farmers and businesses at the centre."

Elizabeth Hallinan, Humanitarian Policy Analyst at Christian Aid, said: "The global increase in food and fuel prices is pushing millions of people across East Africa to take desperate measures to survive in the face of failed harvests, livestock deaths, water shortages and extreme hunger.

"Confirmation that Ukraine and Russia have signed a deal to allow the export of millions of tonnes of grain is crucially important. That act alone, however, will not be enough to save the lives of millions on the brink.

"The UK Government must now speed up the delivery of funding that has already been promised to alleviate the hunger crisis in East Africa, reverse cuts to aid that undermine resilience to shocks and ensure all funding supports local actors who are best placed to respond quickly."

LINK

World food crisis: What you can do today to fight the causes of hunger in the future - https://cafod.org.uk/News/Emergencies-news/World-food-crisis