Soviet-era ports being resuscitated but officials say only way to mitigate global hunger is to end Russia’s Black Sea blockade
Ukraine is restoring and expanding some of its long-decommissioned river ports on the Danube to facilitate the exportation of grain due to Russia’s Black Sea blockade.
At the beginning of the Russian invasion, silos and ports across Odesa were brimming with more than 25m tonnes of grain. Today, 5m of these have been exported via alternative street, rail and river routes. Insofar as Kyiv is planning to expand its river ports with at least two new silos and special parking spaces for trucks to load the grain carriers faster, the fact remains these are only emergency measures to maintain the shipment of grain. Ukrainian officials are aware that opening the Black Sea route is the only way to mitigate global hunger.
The number of people going hungry in the world has risen by 150 million since the start of the Covid pandemic, according to the UN, warning that the food crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine risks pushing the worst-hit countries into widespread famine. Two Ukrainian farmers in the occupied Kherson region told the Guardian they sold their grain to Russian buyers last month at discounted prices. “My grain was sold almost 20% cheaper than usual. But it’s better than nothing,” said one farmer, who asked for anonymity for fear of reprisals from local authorities.
Heavy fighting continues in the region, as Ukraine, boosted by newly received western weapons, aims to stage a counterattack to reclaim territory.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ukraine restores Danube River ports in emergency effort to get grain outSoviet-era ports being resuscitated but officials say only way to mitigate global hunger is to end Russia’s Black Sea blockade
Read more »
Ukraine restores Danube River ports in emergency effort to get grain outSoviet-era ports being resuscitated but officials say only way to mitigate global hunger is to end Russia’s Black Sea blockade
Read more »
Ukraine summons Turkish envoy after ‘stolen’ grain ship allowed to leave portKyiv protests over ‘unacceptable situation’ as Russian-flagged ship sails from Karasu, where it had been impounded
Read more »
Putin says Russia is only just getting started in Ukraine – as it happened
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine war live news: Putin dares west to defeat Russia on battlefield; Ukraine ‘will not be broken’, Zelenskiy saysZelenskiy celebrates Snake Island victory; Putin warns the west that its efforts to defeat him will bring tragedy to Ukraine
Read more »
Lavrov walks out of G20 talks after denying Russia is causing food crisisRussian foreign minister accuses the west of frenzied criticism over his country’s invasion of Ukraine
Read more »