Govt to purchase key social products, distribute them free to people in cities along front lines – PM

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal says the government will directly purchase key social products from Ukrainian producers and distribute them free of charge to people in cities along the front lines.

"Issues of food security. We cannot allow Ukrainians to be left without food, so the government will directly purchase key social products from Ukrainian producers. These products will be distributed free of charge from tomorrow to people in those cities that have already been surrounded or are on the line of hostilities," Shmyhal said in his address on Friday evening.

According to him, the government has formed a list of key social products: from cereals and grains to canned food and vegetable oil.

The Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories on a daily basis generates a list of cities where these products need to be delivered.

Military local administrations will apply how much food is needed for each of these cities.

Further, Ukrzaliznytsia will purchase products and, in cooperation with the Humanitarian Center, will deliver them to the regions.

As for the delivery to the temporarily occupied settlements, the authorities intend to involve international humanitarian organizations.

"I emphasize once again that the distribution of relevant products will be free of charge for people. The government has already allocated UAH 18 billion to Ukrzaliznytsia for the implementation of this and other tasks," Shmyhal said.

According to the prime minister, this program will stimulate the development of Ukrainian food production, which is now becoming one of the key sectors of the economy.

Source: www.en.interfax.com.ua