Food from Ukraine: A Vital Humanitarian Effort
In a joint effort, Ukraine, Finland, and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have provided more than 613 tons of food aid to assist over 300,000 people in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado province. This delivery is part of the Food from Ukraine initiative, which builds upon the Grain from Ukraine program launched by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in 2022.
The shipment includes vegetable oil and split peas, supplies intended to sustain recipients for approximately two months. Representatives from various countries and organizations gathered for the handover ceremony, including:
- Plácido Pereira, Secretary of State for Cabo Delgado Province
- Rostyslav Tronenko, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Mozambique
- Satu Lassila, Finnish Ambassador
- Anu Saarela, Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador for School Feeding
- Mauricio Burthet, Deputy National Director of WFP Mozambique
Finland has committed substantial support by allocating 1 million euros in 2026 to the Food from Ukraine initiative, plus an additional 1 million euros toward WFP’s school feeding programs in Mozambique. The Food from Ukraine project forms part of the wider Grain from Ukraine effort, which, by the end of 2023, had delivered over 170,000 tons of grain to more than 30 countries, including Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, and Yemen.
“Together, we are turning solidarity into tangible actions, bringing hope and real support to those who need it most,” stated the Ukrainian Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food.
Since its inception in 2022, the Grain from Ukraine program has grown in importance. Notably, in January 2025, Ukraine sent its first shipment of 500 tons of flour to Syria under this initiative, supported by the WFP.
Strengthening Ties Between Ukraine and Mozambique
On March 23, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held discussions with Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi focusing on gas supplies, digital transformation, and food security, reflecting dynamic cooperation between the two nations across multiple sectors.
This humanitarian collaboration highlights the critical role of international partnerships in tackling food insecurity, especially in regions affected by conflict and natural disasters. The ongoing Grain from Ukraine program demonstrates Ukraine’s resilience in delivering aid despite domestic challenges and fosters stronger diplomatic relations between Ukraine, Finland, and recipient countries, paving the way for enhanced humanitarian cooperation.