The War in Ukraine Is Pushing Countries Short on Food to Famine
By Clarisa Diaz
The UN is predicting a “hurricane of hunger” in the world’s least developed countries as the war in Ukraine continues to crimp supplies of everything from fertilizer to cooking oil. In April, the situation worsened with the UN claiming that the war is exacerbating famine in the global south, a message echoed at the World Economic Forum last month.
Hunger is on the rise globally for many reasons, including climate change, the covid-19 pandemic, and internal conflicts. But with blocked ports and exports limits from both Russia and Ukraine, countries that rely on them for staple foods are at a loss. Fertilizer and fuel shortages are also making it difficult to produce crops like wheat, corn, sunflower, and safflower, complicating a critical planting season that starts in April in Ukraine. The lack of ability to plant this year could lead to fewer crops and an even worse outlook for food security.
Photo courtesy of Michael Callaghan.
Source: Quartz Africa (link opens in a new window)
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