Power also expressed “grave dismay” with Russia’s decision to suspend its participation in a pact that has allowed the Black Sea export of grain from Ukraine for the past year in a deal that aimed to alleviate a global food crisis by allowing Ukrainian grain blocked by the Russia-Ukraine conflict to be exported safely.
“This is a reckless decision that will have profound human consequences, and it’s just another example of Russian callousness and disregard for human lives and livelihoods, not only here in Ukraine but all around the world,” Power said.
Over 9,000 civilians have been killed and 16,000 injured since Russia invaded Ukraine, and there are nearly 6 million Ukrainian refugees across Europe, according to the United Nations.
With Monday’s announcement, the United States has provided over $2.6 billion in humanitarian assistance since the war began, including more than $1.9 billion through USAID.
During her visit to Ukraine, Power will meet with government officials as well as farmers, energy workers and emergency response teams, among others, and will also visit USAID partners who deliver assistance, the agency said.
The USAID statement said the announcement follows the collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam on June 6, flooding hundreds of houses in both Ukrainian and Russian-controlled territory in one of the greatest disasters of the conflict thus far.
International legal experts assisting Ukraine concluded last month that it is “highly likely” that Russia was responsible for planting explosives at the dam. Moscow has said Ukraine blew it up on the suggestion of Western leaders.