Source: AUN News
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey signed last month, will be implementing its first shipment of humanitarian food aid with this one.
The World Food Programme (WFP) described the development as “another significant step in attempts to reintegrate Ukrainian food into global markets and send it to nations hardest hit by the global food crisis through commercial and humanitarian pathways.”
On the Black Sea, in Yuzhny, the MV Brave Commander is anticipated to berth soon.
Assisting with drought response
After passing inspection by the Joint Coordination Centre (JCC), the institution supporting the implementation of the UN-brokered agreement on resuming grain exports from Ukraine, the ship departed Istanbul, the capital of Turkey, on Wednesday.
The JCC will keep an eye on commercial ship traffic leaving, Yuzhny and two other critical Ukrainian ports, Odesa and Chornomorsk.
To aid in the drought relief efforts in the Horn of Africa, where the prospect of hunger looms, WFP has purchased wheat for its operations in Ethiopia.
After four consecutive dry seasons, the UN agency has issued a stark warning about the region’s poor food security situation.
The Horn of Africa is one of the regions throughout the world where the near total halt of Ukrainian grain and food on the international market has made life even more difficult for the households already fighting mounting hunger.
According to WFP, a record 345 million people in 82 countries are experiencing severe food insecurity. Without aid, up to 50 million people in 45 countries could face starvation.
The M/V Fulmar S, the first commercial empty grain vessel under the Black Sea Grain Initiative from Istanbul to Ukraine, is awaiting JCC authorization to move, pending inspection.
A successful start
On the return flight, the Brave Commander will discharge the wheat in Djibouti after passing JCC formalities in Istanbul.
According to the senior UN representative at the JCC, the Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed on July 22, and 12 vessels have been given the go-ahead to leave Ukrainian ports.
Although there is still much work to be done, according to UN Interim Coordinator Frederick J. Kenney Jr., “we are off to an auspicious start.”
Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network
