As Ukraine commemorates the 92nd anniversary of the Holodomor, the country simultaneously celebrates the global impact of its humanitarian initiative, Grain from Ukraine.
This programme, launched amidst the ongoing war, has saved 20 million lives from hunger, embodying a stark contrast to one of history’s most devastating man-made famines.
The Grain from Ukraine initiative, highlighted at the Third International Conference in Kyiv on 23rd November 2024, serves as a testament to Ukraine’s commitment to global food security despite facing unprecedented challenges.
Speaking at the event, President Volodymyr Zelensky underscored its achievements, stating, “This programme is not just about grain; it is about saving lives—children, families, and entire communities worldwide.”
A History of Weaponised Hunger
Ukraine’s leadership in combating global hunger is particularly poignant given its history. The Holodomor, the man-made famine orchestrated by Josef Stalin in 1932–1933, claimed the lives of up to 7.5 million Ukrainians. Stalin’s policies of forced collectivisation and the brutal requisitioning of grain from Ukrainian farmers resulted in mass starvation. Entire communities were left without food, and attempts to flee the affected areas were met with deadly force.
Historians and scholars, including James Mace, have labelled the Holodomor a deliberate act of genocide. Stalin viewed Ukraine’s independent spirit and cultural identity as threats to Soviet control. By destroying the Ukrainian peasantry, intelligentsia, and cultural institutions, Stalin sought to erase Ukraine’s distinct identity.
“The calculation was simple: no people, therefore, no separate country, and thus no problem. Such a policy is genocide in the classic sense,” Mace wrote.
Even decades later, efforts to recognise the Holodomor as genocide face resistance, particularly from the Russian government. Moscow has consistently lobbied against international recognition, mirroring Soviet-era disinformation campaigns that denied the famine’s existence or blamed it on drought.
Ukraine’s Role in Global Food Security
Today, Ukraine is not only a survivor of historical atrocities but also a leader in global food aid.
The Grain from Ukraine programme, launched during Russia’s ongoing war against the country, has delivered life-saving grain to nations in Africa, Asia, and beyond. Beneficiaries include Ethiopia, Sudan, Yemen, and Nigeria—countries where food insecurity poses an existential threat.
The programme’s achievements are set against the backdrop of a war that has targeted Ukraine’s agricultural infrastructure. Since July 2023, over 321 pieces of port infrastructure have been damaged by Russian missile and drone strikes, while more than 60 attacks have directly targeted food export facilities. These deliberate assaults reflect Russia’s ongoing use of food as a weapon, a tactic reminiscent of Stalin’s policies.
President Zelensky highlighted the interconnected nature of global food security, stating, “The price of bread in Egypt or Nigeria depends on whether Ukrainian farmers can sow and harvest their crops. Clearing our fields of mines is essential to restoring stability to global food markets.”
Remembering and Resisting Genocide
The Grain from Ukraine initiative holds deeper significance as Ukraine remembers the victims of the Holodomor. November’s fourth Saturday is Holodomor Remembrance Day, marking a tragedy that remains a painful scar in Ukraine’s history. While Stalin’s regime sought to erase Ukraine’s identity through starvation, today’s Ukraine uses its agricultural abundance to save lives worldwide.
Zelensky drew parallels between the Holodomor and Russia’s current actions, noting that both reflect attempts to suppress Ukraine’s sovereignty.
“This war is not only an attack on our land but also on our ability to contribute to the world. Yet we remain steadfast in our commitment to global food security,” he said.
International Recognition
Efforts to gain international recognition of the Holodomor as genocide have made significant progress, with 27 states formally acknowledging it as such. However, some countries have yet to adopt this position. Advocacy continues, with calls for global acknowledgment of the atrocity as a means of preventing future tragedies.
Anne Applebaum, in her book Red Famine, warns that the echoes of Stalin’s tactics can still be seen in modern Russian policies. Under Vladimir Putin’s regime, disinformation and suppression of dissent bear striking similarities to Soviet-era practices.
A Vision for the Future
The Grain from Ukraine initiative demonstrates Ukraine’s resilience and leadership on the global stage. By providing essential aid to millions, Ukraine has turned its historical trauma into a mission of hope. The programme is not merely a humanitarian effort but also a powerful statement of Ukraine’s determination to contribute to a more stable and secure world.
As President Zelensky concluded at the conference, “We must ensure that such tragedies as the Holodomor are never repeated—neither in Ukraine nor anywhere else in the world.”
This article was originally published in EU Global.
Main Image: By © Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20580426
