Finland is contributing five million euros to the UN-based World Food Programme to buy Ukrainian grain that will be distributed to African countries hit by the ongoing food crisis, according to the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
The WFP's Black Sea Grain Initiative has already helped to send more than 18 million tonnes of grain and food from Ukraine during June 2022-January 2023, the ministry said in a press release issued on Wednesday.
"With Finland’s support, WFP is buying Ukrainian grain, which it grinds, clears through customs and delivers to the Horn of Africa, among other regions," the ministry stated.
Finland is supporting Ukraine as well as countries affected by the food shortage, with the help of WFP, according to Finnish Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Ville Skinnari (SDP).
"Ukraine will get income that it needs and the countries suffering from grain shortage and high prices will get much-needed grain," Skinnari said in the release.
The ministry also said that taking part in the Black Sea Grain Initiative helps to stabilise global food prices.
Towards the end of last year, Finland announced plans to allocate nearly 16 million euros towards grain shipments to the Horn of Africa.