Ukraine is stepping up its humanitarian efforts with the launch of its grain export program aimed at stabilizing Syria post-civil war and the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Under the initiative dubbed 'Grain from Ukraine,' Ukraine has shipped hundreds of tons of grain to assist the war-torn nation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on Thursday his commitment to reinforcing diplomatic ties with Syria and enhancing cooperation through international organizations.
"We prepare to restore diplomatic relations with Syria and collaborate with them," Zelensky remarked. His pledge follows the recent political shakeup after the fall of al-Assad's regime, and he outlined plans to strengthen Ukraine's trade with Lebanon significantly this year.
Since the program's inception after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, more than 221,000 tons of agricultural products have been delivered to countries across Africa and Asia, including 500 tons of wheat flour sent to Syria. Zelensky emphasized the importance of this assistance, stating, "More stability in the Middle East means more peace and trade for all partners. This support would contribute to restoring stability there, which aligns with Ukraine's pursuit of peace."
Meanwhile, the 'Awamu' organization, which aims to tackle the root causes of displacement and poverty, is making strides on the ground in Uganda. A local charity recently concluded its series of projects funded by the Schwäbische Zeitung's annual Christmas campaign, 'Helping Brings Joy.' This commitment has seen projects funded for the regions of Kurdistan-Iraq, along with other various suggested projects. Margret Riese, founder of Awamu, recently led a successful three-week campaign trip to Uganda, delivering not only monetary aid but also seven laptops to local schools.
Dirk Scharfenberger, newly appointed chair of Awamu, commented on the revelations from the visit, noting, “It was overwhelming—from very nice to very sad.” He was struck by the gratitude expressed by local communities for the basic provisions provided through the organization. Amid successes such as job placements for all 25 girls trained as seamstresses and housekeepers, the group recognized serious funding gaps, particularly as they confront challenges like harvest failures affecting school contributions.
To tackle these challenges, the organization revealed its plans to improve infrastructure within local primary schools. Current efforts focus on raising the nearly €5,000 needed for building water cisterns to supply the 90 children at St. Denis Primary School, highlighting the dire need for clean water access.
While significant progress has been made, issues surrounding teacher pay and inadequate training remain pressing. Riese shared, “Netto remains 55 Euro for our teachers. That can barely feed even one family here.”
Having funded over 260 wells since its inception, the organization continues to gather support for projects aimed at empowering local communities. “The people need us,” Scharfenberger observed, emphasizing the importance of sustained growth and the responsibilities borne by organizations like Awamu.
The synergy of international humanitarian aid efforts demonstrated by Ukraine's grain delivery program and local initiatives like the work of Awamu reveals the urgent need for collaborative support. Both mobilize communities to lift themselves out of despair, reinforcing resilience among people inhabiting recovering environments. With the broadened engagement and tangible assistance, dedicated projects not only address immediate needs but also set the stage for long-term stability and development.