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Russia's grain supplies boosted fighting hunger in African countries — FAO

Oleg Kobyakov reported that the received supply met 23% of Somalia's total annual wheat import needs (balance shortfall - 215,000 tons), 9% for Burkina Faso (283,000 tons), and 6% for Mali (405,000 tons)

MOSCOW, March 4. /TASS/. Free grain supplies from Russia to Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea have made a significant contribution to the fight against acute hunger in these countries, Director of the FAO Liaison Office with Russia Oleg Kobyakov said in an interview with TASS.

"Earlier, Russian Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev informed Russian President Vladimir Putin on the completion of the supply of 200,000 tons of grain to six African countries as free food aid. It arrived in Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea. This is a significant contribution to alleviating acute hunger in these countries," he said.

Kobyakov reported that the received supply met 23% of Somalia's total annual wheat import needs (balance shortfall - 215,000 tons), 9% for Burkina Faso (283,000 tons), and 6% for Mali (405,000 tons). "It is especially important that this assistance is free of charge, free for the final recipients," Kobyakov added.

"I would like to stress that Russia actively and effectively interacts with the UN World Food Program, affiliated with FAO. Over the last five years, Russia has donated about $300 mln in help to 30 nations in various parts of the world, primarily in Africa, via the program. Nonetheless, these humanitarian supplies should be considered emergency and one-time support measures," he added.