Kenya has received a donation of 25,000 metric tonnes of wheat from Ukraine to help families affected by drought.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua made the announcement on Tuesday after receiving the donation from Ukrainian Ambassador to Kenya, Andriy Pravednyk.
"Ukraine has donated 25,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Kenya that will be distributed to counties severely affected by the ongoing drought," Gachagua said in a brief statement soon after the envoy paid him a courtesy call at is office.
The donation was pledged by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the G20 summit.
It's part of the “Grain from Ukraine” humanitarian programme aimed at feeding at least five million people across the world by the summer of 2023.
"The initiative is significant as this year Ukraine commemorates 90th anniversary of the genocidal Holodomor (famine) of 1932-33 imposed by the Soviet Union on millions of Ukrainian peasants," a statement from the Ukraine Embassy said.
"Notwithstanding the ongoing Russian military invasion, Ukraine is determined to lend a helping hand to those who need it the most and prevent global hunger wave," it added.
The donation will supplement ongoing aid interventions by the government and other humanitarian aid agencies.
An estimated 4.3 million Kenyans are on the verge of starvation as drought occasioned by four unstable rain seasons ravages half the country.
Ukraine continues to play a key role in global food security amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The country, which mainly grows and exports wheat, corn and barley is one of the world's major grain producers.
Statistics from the European Commission indicate that Ukraine accounts for 10 per cent of the world wheat market, 15 per cent of the corn market, and 13 per cent of the barley market.
Data from the US Department of Agriculture show that Ukraine was the world's seventh-largest producer of wheat in 2021/22 with 33 million tonnes.
According to the statistics, only the US, neighbours Russia, Australia, India and China produced more.
Ukraine is also the main exporter of sunflower oil with more than 50 per cent share of global market share.
The February invasion of the country by Russia led to suspension of grain deliveries due to a blockade by Russia, sparking fears of a global wheat shortage and price hike.
