4 hours ago
Matt Murphy, BBC News
image provided, EPA
UN Secretary-General António Guterres (left) and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right)
The United Nations warned on the 18th that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could lead to a global food shortage in the coming months.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the war had raised prices and exacerbated food shortages in poor countries.
He added that if Ukraine’s exports do not return to pre-war levels, the world could face famine for years.
Due to the conflict in Ukraine, supply has been cut off from the country’s ports. The country once exported large amounts of sunflower oil and grains such as corn and wheat.
As a result, global supply is declining and replacement prices are rising. According to the United Nations, global food prices have risen by nearly 30% compared to the same period last year.
“We need the good intentions of all parties”
Mr. Guterres attended a meeting held in New York on this day. He said in the conflict that “tens of millions of people are facing malnutrition, massive famine, famine and food shortages.”
And, “If we all work together, our world now has enough food, but unless we solve this problem right now, we will face the horror of global food shortages in the coming months. That will be the case. “
He also warned that there would be no effective solution to the food crisis unless the food produced by Ukraine and the fertilizers produced by Russia and Belarus were re-supplied to the international markets.
Guterres further explained that he is in “intensive contact” with Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union (EU) to bring food exports back to normal levels.
“We need the goodwill of all parties in terms of security, economics and finances,” he said.
Grain stays in Ukraine
The World Bank announced on the same day that it will provide $ 12 billion worth of additional funding for a project to address food shortages.
This will bring more than £ 30 billion to these projects over the next 15 months.
Russia and Ukraine produce 30% of the world’s wheat supply. Before the war, Ukraine was said to be the breadbasket of the world and exported 4.5 million tons of agricultural products from the port every month.
However, since Russia began its invasion in February, exports have plummeted and prices have skyrocketed. Prices rose further when India banned wheat exports on the 14th.
According to the United Nations, Ukraine has about 20 million tonnes of previously harvested grain. If these are released, the pressure on the international market can be eased.
Blame Russia
The number of people facing food shortages had increased since before the invasion. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused Russia of exacerbating the difficult situation at a meeting yesterday.
“Russia is waging a grain war and fueling a global food crisis,” Baerbock said. “We do so, especially when millions are already threatened by hunger in the Middle East and Africa.” Said.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken argues that the world is facing “the greatest global food security crisis of our time.” Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was exacerbated by the “war of his choice.”