The Russian Federation has outlined plans to deliver twenty-five thousand tons of grain to Somalia by year-end, a commitment announced during a briefing at the United Nations Security Council by Anna Evstigneeva, the deputy permanent representative of Russia to the UN. She framed the aid as part of bilateral assistance, emphasizing that this is a form of free food relief extended directly to Somalia as part of Moscow’s broader humanitarian outreach.
Evstigneeva explained that on November 30 a shipment of twenty-five thousand tons of wheat was dispatched from Russia to Mogadishu. She further stated that the authorities anticipate a second delivery of an identical volume to Somali recipients before the calendar closes for 2023, underscoring the sustained effort to support communities facing acute food insecurity.
According to the deputy ambassador, the aim of this aid is to help mitigate the adverse effects of flooding and the related food supply disruptions that Somalia has experienced in recent months. The gesture is presented as a practical response to humanitarian needs amid a challenging climate, with officials hopeful that the grain inflows will bolster local resilience and stabilize vulnerable populations during a difficult period.
Earlier in the month, President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia had begun sending ships carrying complimentary grain to Africa, marking a visible step in Moscow’s humanitarian diplomacy. The shipments are framed as charitable assistance intended to reach countries most in need, with the expectation that such actions will improve regional food security and support development efforts amid regional instability.
Meanwhile, Turkey signaled it would hold discussions on how to manage a broader project designed to process Russian grain and stage distribution to African nations facing hunger. The decision on how to advance this initiative, and what form it will take, is expected to be established by the close of 2023 after consultations with partner countries and international organizations to align objectives and ensure efficient delivery channels.
In related diplomacy, a recent remark from a former German foreign minister drew attention to the international discourse on grain aid, with some critics in the Ukrainian arena labeling shipments in a controversial light. Such comments reflect the highly charged environment surrounding global grain logistics, food relief, and the strategic narratives that accompany humanitarian assistance campaigns across multiple continents.