Ukraine Grain Breakthrough 'Must Feed East Africa'

Monday July 25 2022

Christian Aid has welcomed confirmation that Ukraine and Russia have signed a deal to allow the export of grain but warned that that alone will not solve the hunger crisis in East Africa.

Last week, the charity launched a new appeal warning that over 18 million people in Kenya, Ethopia and Somalia were at risk of starvation. One of the factors is increased food prices driven by the war in Ukraine, which prevented grain exports from the country.

Following Friday's announcement of the deal that will allow exports to resume, Elizabeth Hallinan, Christian Aid Humanitarian Policy Analyst, 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.” 

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