FAO: Russian grain aid contributed to combating hunger in Africa

WORLD, March 04 (YPA) – Director of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) liaison office for Russia Oleg Kobyakov, said that the provision of free Russian grain to needy African countries has contributed to combating hunger on the continent.

Kobyakov noted that the Russian supplies cover 23% of Somalia’s annual wheat needs, 9% of Burkina Faso’s needs, and 6% of Mali’s needs.

He added: “It is particularly important that this assistance be free for the final recipients.

Kobyakov continued: “I would like to highlight Russia’s contribution to the World Food Program, where it has provided assistance to 30 countries in different parts of the world, especially in Africa, worth $300 million over the past five years.

Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev recently announced the completion of the delivery of 200,000 tons of grain to six African countries as free aid, including Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe.

E.M