The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine has sent out a request to the globe's seafood companies, asking for help replenishing Ukraine's food stocks in the face of Russia’s ongoing invasion.
In a letter released on Tuesday, 8 March, the Ukraine Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food Roman Leshchenko requested seafood products to be sent to Ukraine, which is in “dire need of replenishment.”
“Today, Ukraine needs your help more than ever to repel Russian aggression,” the letter states. “In this context, I appeal to the fishing community, as well as to all those who distress about Ukraine and have possibility to help, to join the support of Ukraine in not only words, which is undoubtedly extremely important to us, but also in deeds.”
The consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which began on 23 February, 2022, are still rippling through the global seafood industry. Several major U.S. restaurant chains have ceased buying Russian seafood, and seafood companies around the globe have cut shipments to Russia.
“Ukrainian military and ordinary Ukrainians each day are risking their lives to protect our land from the invasion of Russian troops, which are destroying military and civilian infrastructure, shelling residential areas of Ukrainian cities, kindergartens, schools, hospitals, and maternity hospitals,” he wrote. “This unjustified and unprovoked act of Russian aggression against Ukraine has already led to a significant number of deaths among civilians, including children.”
As a result of the turmoil, Leshchenko wrote, the country has had a massive decrease in economic activity, resulting in a lack of essential goods, including food, and leading to a “deterioration of the humanitarian situation in some regions of Ukraine.”
“Therefore, we ask you to consider the possibility to provide Ukraine with the following: chilled or frozen fish (including minced meat, fillets, and other fish meat), salted or smoked fish, finished or canned fish products, etcetera, as humanitarian aid,” Leshchenko wrote.
Coordination of the aid is being carried out by the State Agency of Melioration and Fisheries of Ukraine, Leshchenko said, directing inquiries to Oleh Klochak by either phone at +380673239988 or email via [email protected].
“We are convinced that your support and assistance will provide an invaluable contribution to achieving peace and saving lives in Ukraine,” Leshchenko said.
Photo courtesy of Photographer RM/Shutterstock
