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Ukraine sends food aid to Syria, says Zelenskiy
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KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine, a global producer and exporter of grain and oilseeds, has sent its first batch of food aid to Syria, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday.
KYIV (Reuters) – Ukraine, a global producer and exporter of grain and oilseeds, has sent its first batch of food aid to Syria, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday.
Zelenskiy said that 500 metric tons of wheat flour were already on their way to Syria as part of Ukraine’s humanitarian “Grain from Ukraine” initiative in cooperation with the United Nations World Food Programme.
“The wheat flour is planned to be distributed to 33,250 families or 167,000 people, in the coming weeks,” Zelenskiy said on X, adding: “Each package weighs 15 kilograms and can feed a family of five for one month.”
After the ouster of Bashar al-Assad, a close Russian ally, Ukraine has said it wants to restore relations with Syria.
Kyiv traditionally exports wheat and corn to countries in the Middle East, but not to Syria.
During Assad’s era, Syria imported food from Russia. But Russian wheat supplies to Syria have been suspended because of uncertainty, Russian and Syrian sources said earlier this month.
Ukraine’s exports were disrupted by Russia’s February 2022 invasion, which severely reduced shipments via the Black Sea. Ukraine has since broken a de facto sea blockade and revived exports from its southern port of Odesa.
(Reporting by Olena Harmash; Editing by Alexander Smith)
Humanitarian aid refers to assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to crises such as natural disasters or armed conflicts, aimed at saving lives and alleviating suffering.
Grain exports involve the sale and shipment of grain products, such as wheat and corn, from one country to another, which is crucial for global food supply.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is an organization that provides food assistance and promotes food security globally, especially in areas affected by conflict or disaster.
Ukraine is a major global producer and exporter of grain and oilseeds, playing a vital role in the international food supply chain, particularly for countries in the Middle East.
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