United Nations officials celebrated a deal reached Friday to get Ukrainian grain out of the country as the global threat of famines escalates.
Separate agreements, brokered by the U.N. and Turkey, were signed by Russia and Ukraine and will free an estimated 20 million tons of grain. The war in Ukraine had prevented the much-needed export from leaving the country.
World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley, who earlier this week said he was “optimistic” that a deal could be finalized by the end of the week, called it “GREAT NEWS” on Twitter.
“Ukraine & Russia have made an agreement in #Istanbul to open Ukrainian ports, so that critical food & fertilizer can flow to millions. A decision that benefits the world,” Beasley tweeted. “Today the real work begins — there is no time to lose.”
Limited grain has been leaving Ukraine by rail, but that costs $120 more per ton than sea transport, Beasley told the U.S. Congress earlier this year.
WFP said its expenses — already up 50% since 2019 — have increased by up to $71 million a month due to food and oil price hikes. This has forced the agency to cut back on rations in hunger hot spots such as Yemen and Ethiopia.
It will take several weeks for the first grain shipments to exit Ukraine. Around 5 million metric tons are set to leave each month.
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Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and the U.N. will work together to ensure that ships are not carrying weapons as they travel back to Ukrainian ports after depositing grain — a key concern of the Russians. The agreement will expire after 120 days but can be renewed.
“Let there be no doubt – this is an agreement for the world. It will bring relief for developing countries on the edge of bankruptcy and the most vulnerable people on the edge of famine,” U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said Friday. “It will help stabilize global food prices which were already at record levels even before the war – a true nightmare for developing countries.”
Negotiators had been working “every day” since April to reach a deal, he said. “We will remain closely involved in working for the agreement’s success. We are ramping up efforts to ensure the UN is positioned to deliver on its commitments.”
Mercy Corps chief Tjada D'Oyen McKenna warned that the deal won’t immediately solve the food crisis.
“Unblocking Ukraine’s ports will not reverse the damage war has wreaked on crops, agricultural land and agricultural transit routes in the country; it will not significantly change the price or availability of fuel, fertilizer, and other staple goods that are now beyond the reach of many, particularly in lower-income countries; and it will certainly not help the majority of the 50 million people around the world inching closer to famine stave off starvation,” the CEO said in a statement.
Agencies must continue to provide emergency cash, food, and nutrition assistance while agricultural food systems are strengthened, she said, adding that this must include support for climate-resilient agriculture and smallholder farmers.
About the author
Teresa Welshtmawelsh
Teresa Welsh is a Senior Reporter at Devex. She has reported from more than 10 countries and is currently based in Washington, D.C. Her coverage focuses on Latin America; U.S. foreign assistance policy; fragile states; food systems and nutrition; and refugees and migration. Prior to joining Devex, Teresa worked at McClatchy's Washington Bureau and covered foreign affairs for U.S. News and World Report. She was a reporter in Colombia, where she previously lived teaching English. Teresa earned bachelor of arts degrees in journalism and Latin American studies from the University of Wisconsin.
