Russia is set to send $10 million humanitarian food aid to the United Nations World Food Program, destined to four African countries, namely Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia.
Each country will get funds to the tune of $2.5 million. The Russian Embassy in Ethiopia in a press release indicated that funds allocated for the provision of food aid will be used to purchase goods in the Russian Federation and pay for their delivery by Russian organizations.
The aid to the four countries underlines Russia’s growing presence on the continent where western countries such as the U.S., France, and UK are facing rejection.
Russia has become a strategic ally for the Central African Republic and Burkina Faso at the expense of France, the former colonial power.
President Vladimir Putin in March said Moscow is ready to provide food to Africa “free of charge”.
The same month, Russia delivered 20,000 tons of fertilizer to Malawi free of charge. Kenya received 34 tons, while Nigeria is reportedly set to receive its own share.
