US Provides $670 Million Emergency Food Aid to Six Countries Facing 'Famine Crisis'

Hunger Crisis Expands Due to Ukraine War
Emergency Self-Sufficiency Support Launched for the First Time in Over 8 Years Since 2014

Last June, relief workers distributed lentils to residents of Mekelle, Ethiopia. (Photo by Getty Images)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyun-jung] The Biden administration is set to provide a total of $670 million (approximately 848.6 billion KRW) in food aid to six countries facing hunger crises due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Bloomberg reported on the 28th (local time).

The report cited a statement from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announcing that $282 million will be provided through the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust to six countries facing severe food insecurity: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Yemen.

According to estimates cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Ukraine war has delayed grain shipments relied upon by Sub-Saharan Africa and other developing regions, potentially pushing an additional 40 million people into hunger. Supply chain disruptions have caused food prices to soar at unprecedented rates, with prices of grains, fuel, and fertilizers also rising.

USAID's Samantha Power stated, "Farmers in Ukraine, which supplies 10% of the world's wheat, are struggling to plant or harvest crops due to fears of shelling and Russian landmines," adding, "Exports of essential goods have also been severely restricted due to Russia's invasion."

In addition to the trust fund, $388 million will be raised through the USDA's Commodity Credit Corporation program to cover transportation and related costs. This is the first time since 2014 that the U.S. government has used emergency disaster funds for food aid. According to USDA officials, it will take approximately three months for agricultural products to reach their destinations in each country.

The White House is preparing additional emergency requests to Congress for global food aid, alongside military support for Ukraine.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.