About to take the presidency of the UN Security Council, the US promises to take care of world food security
The war in Ukraine is driving up food and energy costs for people around the world – Photo: REUTERS
According to Reuters news agency, the money will be used for emergency food operations in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan and Yemen.
Of that, $282 million will come from the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Foundation (BEHT), and will be co-managed by USDA and USAID. USDA will provide an additional $388 million for transportation and other costs.
Minister of Agriculture America Tom Vilsack said the war in Ukraine – a major agricultural exporter – “is driving up the cost of food and energy for people around the world”.
According to Reuters, members of the US Senate famine meeting in March called for the USDA and USAID to withdraw funds from BEHT.
The United Nations World Food Program (UNWFP) has predicted severe global hunger due to export disruptions by Ukraine and Russia.
Both Russia and Ukraine account for about a quarter of the world’s total wheat exports.
USAID director Samantha Power said Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine had resulted in a “serious global food crisis”.
Also on April 27, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he was waiting for Washington’s request for additional aid to Ukraine to ensure food security for the country.
Speaking to the US Senate, Blinken said the ongoing conflict has affected food security both in Ukraine and elsewhere.
Blinken said the United States will focus on food security issues from May, when it assumes the role of president of the United Nations Security Council.
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