UN chief warns of ‘catastrophe’ from global food shortage
2 years, 6 months ago

UN chief warns of ‘catastrophe’ from global food shortage

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The head of the United Nations warned Friday that the world faces “catastrophe” because of the growing shortage of food around the globe. “This year’s food access issues could become next year’s global food shortage,” he said. “No country will be immune to the social and economic repercussions of such a catastrophe.” Guterres said U.N. negotiators were working on a deal that would enable Ukraine to export food, including via the Black Sea, and let Russia bring food and fertilizer to world markets without restrictions. The Berlin meeting’s host, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, said Moscow’s claim that Western sanctions imposed over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine were to blame for food shortages was “completely untenable.” Russia exported as much wheat in May and June this year as in the same months of 2021, Baerbock said. “The sanctions that we’ve imposed on Russia collectively and with many other countries exempt food, exempt food products, exempt fertilizers, exempt insurers, exempt shippers,” he said.

Food Russia Guterres Berlin Ukraine War Baerbock  global  ukraine  war  exempt  shortage  chief  food  countries  world  russia  catastrophe  warns  berlin  baerbock

History of this topic

Famine Looms in Vulnerable Regions as Conflict and Climate Shocks Aggravate Food Insecurity
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Famine Looms in Vulnerable Regions as Conflict and Climate Shocks Aggravate Food Insecurity

Associated Press  

Severe food crises threaten hundreds of thousands of people in vulnerable areas worldwide. The report warns that conflicts, economic instability, and climate shocks are driving alarming levels of acute food insecurity, with immediate, scaled-up intervention needed to prevent further deterioration in these already vulnerable regions.

UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase
1 year, 3 months ago

UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase

Associated Press  

ROME — The World Food Program warned Tuesday that humanitarian funding cuts by governments are forcing the U.N. agency to drastically cut food rations to the world’s hungriest people, with each 1% cut in aid risking to push 400,000 people toward starvation. The agency said the more than 60% funding shortfall this year was the highest in WFP’s 60-year history …

UN chief urges Russia to revive grain deal with Ukraine, warning ‘the most vulnerable’ will suffer
1 year, 5 months ago

UN chief urges Russia to revive grain deal with Ukraine, warning ‘the most vulnerable’ will suffer

The Hindu  

The U.N. chief on Monday urged Russia to resume the internationally brokered deal so that grain can be shipped from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, saying that otherwise, the world’s most vulnerable among the hungry will suffer the worst consequences. With the recent collapse of the Ukraine-Russia grain deal, “the most vulnerable will pay the highest price,’‘ Guterres said. Both Russia …

UN Talks Seek to Fix 'Broken' Global Food System
1 year, 5 months ago

UN Talks Seek to Fix 'Broken' Global Food System

News 18  

A three-day United Nations summit opened in Rome on Monday aimed at tackling a “broken” global food system where millions are starving, two billion are overweight or obese and the planet is suffering. The food systems summit comes amid growing food insecurity around the world, with UN agencies warning of an increasing number of people suffering from chronic hunger. “Global …

UN chief urges Russia to revive grain deal with Ukraine, warning ‘the most vulnerable’ will suffer
1 year, 5 months ago

UN chief urges Russia to revive grain deal with Ukraine, warning ‘the most vulnerable’ will suffer

Associated Press  

ROME — The U.N. chief on Monday urged Russia to resume the internationally brokered deal so that grain can be shipped from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, saying that otherwise, the world’s most vulnerable among the hungry will suffer the worst consequences. Both Russia and Ukraine are “essential to global food security,’' the U.N. leader said. “For my part, I remain …

Russia comes under pressure at UN to avoid global food crisis and revive Ukrainian grain shipments
1 year, 5 months ago

Russia comes under pressure at UN to avoid global food crisis and revive Ukrainian grain shipments

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — Russia came under pressure at the United Nations Security Council on Friday from its ally China and developing countries as well as Western nations to avert a global food crisis and quickly revive Ukrainian grain shipments. In response to Russia declaring wide areas in the Black Sea dangerous for shipping, the U.N. warned that a military incident …

What Russia's Withdrawal From Black Sea Grain Deal Means Globally
1 year, 5 months ago

What Russia's Withdrawal From Black Sea Grain Deal Means Globally

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Russia has just pulled out of a global grain deal which allowed exports to leave Ukraine, in a move which has been condemned as a form of “blackmail.” The Black Sea Grain Initiative expired Monday and now will not be renewed for another year, because Moscow claims its own conditions for the deal were not being met. …

Ukraine’s Zelenskky says Russia blackmails world with food access
1 year, 5 months ago

Ukraine’s Zelenskky says Russia blackmails world with food access

Al Jazeera  

Zelenskyy said the export of grain from Ukraine’s seaports should continue despite Russia’s withdrawal from the deal. Describing the need to be protected from “Russian madness” following Moscow’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal on Monday, Zelenskyy said the export of grain from Ukraine’s seaports should continue – with or without Russia’s participation. Ukraine’s exports provided food security for …

Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia's war matters to the world
1 year, 5 months ago

Why allowing Ukraine to ship grain during Russia's war matters to the world

The Hindu  

Agreements that the United Nations and Turkey brokered with Ukraine and Russia to allow food and fertilizer to get from the warring nations to parts of the world where millions are going hungry have eased concerns over global food security. The Black Sea Grain Initiative has allowed 32.8 million metric tons of food to be exported from Ukraine since last …

Russia's threat to exit Ukraine grain deal adds risk to global food security
1 year, 7 months ago

Russia's threat to exit Ukraine grain deal adds risk to global food security

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “If you have a cancellation …

UN: 258 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2022
1 year, 7 months ago

UN: 258 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2022

Associated Press  

ROME — More than a quarter-billion people in 58 countries faced acute food insecurity last year because of conflicts, climate change, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to a report published Wednesday. The report found that that the number of people facing acute food insecurity and requiring urgent food aid — 258 million — …

On brink of famine, North Korea refuses foreign aid, calls it 'poisoned candy'
1 year, 10 months ago

On brink of famine, North Korea refuses foreign aid, calls it 'poisoned candy'

India Today  

Despite being on the brink of famine due to critical food shortages, North Korea has reportedly refused foreign aid, likening it to a “poisoned candy”. North Korea's official newspaper Rodong Simmun said that relying on external aid to cope with food shortages would be like taking "poisoned candy" and urged lawmakers to instead focus on becoming self-sufficient. In 2022 the …

N Korea paper warns against ‘poisoned candy’ amid food shortages
1 year, 10 months ago

N Korea paper warns against ‘poisoned candy’ amid food shortages

Al Jazeera  

The Rodong Sinmun warns against accepting external help amid reports North Korea is teetering on brink of famine. North Korea’s official newspaper has urged economic self-reliance amid reports of food shortages, arguing that relying on external aid to cope with the food situation would be like taking “poisoned candy”. The commentary, published in the Rodong Sinmun on Wednesday, comes days …

World Food Program chief: Somali famine slowed, not avoided
1 year, 11 months ago

World Food Program chief: Somali famine slowed, not avoided

Associated Press  

DAVOS, Switzerland — The head of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning World Food Program says support from donors like the United States and Germany have allowed it to postpone — though not entirely avert — famine in Somalia but stressed that “we’re not out of this yet.” WFP Executive Director David Beasley said countries in the Horn of Africa have faced …

Hunger Pangs: How Russia's war in Ukraine is starving the world
1 year, 11 months ago

Hunger Pangs: How Russia's war in Ukraine is starving the world

Firstpost  

An enduring global food crisis has become one of the farthest-reaching consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine, contributing to widespread starvation, poverty and premature deaths. “We’re dealing now with a massive food insecurity crisis,” Antony Blinken, the US secretary of state, said last month at a summit with African leaders in Washington. “It’s the product of a lot of things, …

Global food concerns rise as Russia halts Ukraine grain deal
2 years, 1 month ago

Global food concerns rise as Russia halts Ukraine grain deal

LA Times  

The ship Navi-Star, loaded with grain, waits in July to depart from port in Odesa, Ukraine. Biden warned that global hunger could increase because of Russia’s suspension of a United Nations-brokered deal to allow safe passage of ships carrying grain from Ukraine, one of the world’s breadbaskets. The U.N. negotiated that deal, and that should be the end of it.” …

Here’s how to stop Putin and prevent a global food crisis
2 years, 3 months ago

Here’s how to stop Putin and prevent a global food crisis

Al Jazeera  

The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how international efforts to counter Russia are severely hamstrung by an uncomfortable reality: Isolating the Kremlin comes with a cost in the form of massive risks to global food security. Moscow is trying to leverage this mounting crisis as a way around the economic pressure designed to compel it to end its assault on …

U.N. warns up to 345 million people marching toward starvation
2 years, 3 months ago

U.N. warns up to 345 million people marching toward starvation

The Hindu  

The U.N. food chief warned Thursday that the world is facing “a global emergency of unprecedented magnitude,” with up to 345 million people marching toward starvation — and 70 million pushed closer to starvation by the war in Ukraine. “The hungry people of the world are counting on us, and … we must not let them down.” Mr. Griffiths said …

UN warns up to 345 million people marching toward starvation
2 years, 3 months ago

UN warns up to 345 million people marching toward starvation

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. food chief warned Thursday that the world is facing “a global emergency of unprecedented magnitude,” with up to 345 million people marching toward starvation — and 70 million pushed closer to starvation by the war in Ukraine. David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, told the U.N. Security Council that the 345 …

Guterres says UN working to get Russian food to markets
2 years, 4 months ago

Guterres says UN working to get Russian food to markets

Al Jazeera  

The UN secretary-general says obstacles must be removed to Russian food and fertiliser exports, which are not sanctioned. The United Nations is working with the United States and European Union to overcome obstacles to Russian food and fertilisers reaching world markets, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said. Getting more food and fertiliser out of Ukraine and Russia is crucial to …

US: Africa can buy Russian grain but risks actions on oil
2 years, 4 months ago

US: Africa can buy Russian grain but risks actions on oil

Associated Press  

KAMPALA, Uganda — African nations are free to buy grain from Russia but could face consequences if they trade in U.S.-sanctioned commodities such as Russian oil, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Thursday. Lavrov blamed food shortages in the market on “the absolutely inadequate reaction of the West, which announced sanctions” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine and …

It’s time we all come together to address the global food crisis
2 years, 4 months ago

It’s time we all come together to address the global food crisis

Al Jazeera  

Millions of lives are at stake and the world’s most vulnerable do not have the luxury of time. Even before the war, hunger and malnutrition were on the rise globally, with an unacceptable 823 million people going hungry in 2021 according to the recent edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report by five United …

A global famine is still an avoidable disaster
2 years, 5 months ago

A global famine is still an avoidable disaster

Live Mint  

and the U.S. accuse Russia of creating a global food crisis with its Ukraine invasion. That move and forecasts of a bumper harvest in a number of countries have been driving wheat prices down; it’s likely that an acute food crisis will be avoided this year and next. Though there is no grain shortage, a jump in fuel costs — …

World hunger rising as UN agencies warn of ‘looming catastrophe’
2 years, 5 months ago

World hunger rising as UN agencies warn of ‘looming catastrophe’

Al Jazeera  

Up to 828 million people, or nearly 10 percent of the world’s population, were affected by hunger last year: UN report. World hunger levels rose again last year after soaring in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Ukraine war coupled with climate change now threaten starvation and mass migration on an “unprecedented scale” this year, according to UN …

Famine threatens wide swaths of world, now worsened by Ukraine war
2 years, 5 months ago

Famine threatens wide swaths of world, now worsened by Ukraine war

LA Times  

Somali children show symptoms of a severe protein malnutrition this month in Mogadishu, Somalia. “The current food security challenge that we’re facing due to these three Cs: climate, COVID, and conflict,” said Ramin Toloui, assistant secretary of State for economic affairs, one of several Biden administration officials tasked to food-security issues. “But what we know is this: We know that …

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage
2 years, 6 months ago

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage

The Hindu  

The head of the United Nations warned on June 24 that the world faces “catastrophe” because of the growing shortage of food around the globe. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the war in Ukraine has added to the disruptions caused by climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and inequality to produce an “unprecedented global hunger crisis” already affecting hundreds of millions …

UN chief warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage
2 years, 6 months ago

UN chief warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage

India TV News  

Highlights United Nations chief warned that world faces “catastrophe” because of growing food shortage globally He said UN negotiators were working on a deal that would enable Ukraine to export food Russia exported as much wheat in May and June this year as in the same months of 2021 The head of the United Nations warned Friday that the world …

Russia’s Vladimir Putin defends global food crisis stance
2 years, 6 months ago

Russia’s Vladimir Putin defends global food crisis stance

Al Jazeera  

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said his country’s military action in Ukraine was not responsible for the global food crisis, claiming that the West was preventing the export of Russian grain. “The food market is unbalanced in the most serious way,” Putin said, addressing a “BRICS Plus” virtual summit that brought together the leaders of 17 countries, including China, …

Global hunger calls for a collective action
2 years, 6 months ago

Global hunger calls for a collective action

Live Mint  

The world system that feeds humankind has been under stress for the past two years. The Russia-Ukraine war strangled crucial sources of supply, as these two countries contribute 28% to world wheat exports and 15% to world maize exports. Eleven countries account for 70% of global wheat production: China and India for 31%, Russia and Ukraine for 15%, the US, …

UN report: Ukraine war is increasing suffering of millions
2 years, 6 months ago

UN report: Ukraine war is increasing suffering of millions

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The ripple effects of the war in Ukraine are increasing the suffering of millions of people by escalating food and energy prices and worsening a financial crisis, coming on top of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, a U.N. report said Wednesday. Global Crisis Response Group said the war “has exacerbated a global cost-of-living …

More free trade will not solve the food crisis
2 years, 6 months ago

More free trade will not solve the food crisis

Al Jazeera  

WTO has lost the trust of the people, and all governments must keep agricultural matters out of free trade agreements. Once again, G7 political leaders and wealthy nations are cheering for more free trade as a solution to ensure global food security. In short, the global food system, sustained by free trade agreements and bilateral investment treaties, is failing once …

UN: Climate shocks, war fuel multiple looming food crises
2 years, 6 months ago

UN: Climate shocks, war fuel multiple looming food crises

Associated Press  

ROME — Two U.N. food agencies issued stark warnings Monday about multiple, looming food crises on the planet, driven by climate “shocks” like drought and worsened by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine that have sent fuel and food prices soaring. WFP Executive Director David Beasley said besides hurting “the poorest of the poor” the …

Ukraine war ‘aggravating’ existing global food crisis, UN warns
2 years, 6 months ago

Ukraine war ‘aggravating’ existing global food crisis, UN warns

Al Jazeera  

‘Food is available,’ Luca Russo, the FAO’s lead analyst for food crises, tells Al Jazeera. As the cost of food soars around the world, the United Nations warns that the war in Ukraine risks aggravating inflating prices and causing a full-on global food crisis. Luca Russo, the FAO’s lead analyst for food crises, told Al Jazeera that as Russia’s invasion …

Far from Ukraine, food prices and hunger rise in Africa because of the war
2 years, 6 months ago

Far from Ukraine, food prices and hunger rise in Africa because of the war

LA Times  

It now costs Ayan Hassan Abdirahman twice as much as it did just a few months ago to buy the wheat flour she uses to make breakfast each day for her 11 children in Somalia’s capital. Conflict, the climate crisis, COVID-19 and surging food and fuel costs have created a perfect storm — and now we’ve got the war in …

Vladimir Putin Says Russia is Ready to Help Solve Food Crisis if West Lifts Sanctions
2 years, 6 months ago

Vladimir Putin Says Russia is Ready to Help Solve Food Crisis if West Lifts Sanctions

News 18  

Russian President Vladimir Putin told Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi by phone on Thursday that Russia was ready to help ease the international food crisis, but only if the West lifts sanctions, the Kremlin said. ”Vladimir Putin emphasized that the Russian Federation is ready to make a significant contribution to overcoming the food crisis through the export of grain and …

Russia slams sanctions, seeks to blame West for food crisis
2 years, 6 months ago

Russia slams sanctions, seeks to blame West for food crisis

Al Jazeera  

President Putin says to be ready to overcome the food crisis if ‘politically motivated’ restrictions are lifted. Moscow is ready to make a “significant contribution” to averting a looming food crisis if the West lifts sanctions imposed on Russia over Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has said. During a call with Italy’s Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Thursday, Putin said Moscow …

As the war grinds on, the world looks for a way to get Ukraine’s grain out
2 years, 6 months ago

As the war grinds on, the world looks for a way to get Ukraine’s grain out

LA Times  

Russia pressed Thursday for the West to lift sanctions imposed because of its war in Ukraine, claiming without proof that the punitive measures are preventing millions of tons of grain and other agricultural products from leaving Ukrainian ports, exacerbating a global food crisis. “This food crisis is real, and we must find solutions,” World Trade Organization Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said …

Millions ‘marching to starvation’ as Putin unleashes global food catastrophe
2 years, 7 months ago

Millions ‘marching to starvation’ as Putin unleashes global food catastrophe

The Telegraph  

Hundreds of millions of people are "marching to starvation" after Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine unleashed the worst humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, the head of the UN’s World Food Programme has warned. David Beasley condemned Russia for “a declaration of war on global food security” after it blocked Ukrainian grain exports, and said that 325m people are …

UN: 18 million facing severe hunger in West Africa’s Sahel
2 years, 7 months ago

UN: 18 million facing severe hunger in West Africa’s Sahel

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The U.N. is warning that 18 million people in Africa’s Sahel region face severe hunger in the next three months, citing the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the coronavirus pandemic, climate-induced shocks and rising costs. The largest number of people are at risk of severe hunger across the region since 2014, and four countries — Burkina Faso, …

US accuses Russia of weaponizing food in Ukraine war
2 years, 7 months ago

US accuses Russia of weaponizing food in Ukraine war

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused Russia on Thursday of weaponizing food and holding grain for millions of people around the world hostage to help accomplish what its invasion of Ukraine has not -- “to break the spirit of the Ukrainian people.” He told a U.N. Security Council meeting called by the United States that the …

UN: 18 million people facing severe hunger in Sahel region
2 years, 7 months ago

UN: 18 million people facing severe hunger in Sahel region

Al Jazeera  

It cites the effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-induced shocks and rising costs as the reasons. The United Nations is warning that 18 million people in Africa’s Sahel region face severe hunger in the next three months, citing the effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the coronavirus pandemic, climate-induced shocks and rising costs. The largest number …

UN chief `hopeful’ of Ukraine grain deal to help food crisis
2 years, 7 months ago

UN chief `hopeful’ of Ukraine grain deal to help food crisis

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — With global hunger levels at a new high, the United Nations chief said Wednesday he is in “intense contacts” with Russia and other key countries and is “hopeful” of an agreement to allow the export of grain stored in Ukrainian ports and ensure Russian food and fertilizer have unrestricted access to global markets. “There is no effective …

Vladimir Putin 'weaponising' world's food supplies
2 years, 7 months ago

Vladimir Putin 'weaponising' world's food supplies

The Telegraph  

Vladimir Putin is “weaponising” global food supplies by stealing grain and destroying agricultural equipment as part of his war in Ukraine, Western officials have said. Officials fear Russia has embarked on a “deliberate policy” of disrupting food supplies, sparking a global crisis and raising the prospect of starvation in developing countries. Vladimir Putin's army has destroyed silos and other food …

Russia-Ukraine latest updates: US Congress passes aid package
2 years, 7 months ago

Russia-Ukraine latest updates: US Congress passes aid package

Al Jazeera  

Ukraine news from May 19: US Senate approves military and economic aid package by a vote of 86-11, sending the legislation to the White House. Moreover, Baig added that it was important to note that towns and villages in the Donbas were spread out so “when the Russians take a town or a small village, what remains ahead of them …

War-fueled food inflation will cause social unrest, UN official says
2 years, 7 months ago

War-fueled food inflation will cause social unrest, UN official says

CNN  

New York CNN Business — A perfect storm of war, extreme weather and Covid-19 will drive global food prices to levels that will cause social unrest in some parts of the world, according to David Beasley, head of the United Nations World Food Programme. “If we’re not there with a safety net program, then the political extremists or whatever the …

UN ‘concerned’ about risks of global hunger due to Ukraine war
2 years, 7 months ago

UN ‘concerned’ about risks of global hunger due to Ukraine war

Al Jazeera  

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said he is deeply concerned about hunger becoming widespread as the war in Ukraine threatens food security in different parts of the world. Speaking alongside Austria’s chancellor and foreign minister in Vienna on Wednesday, Guterres also said talks were going on to evacuate more civilians from conflict zones in Ukraine and expressed confidence that more …

How the Russia-Ukraine war, COVID and climate change are fuelling a growing global food crisis
2 years, 7 months ago

How the Russia-Ukraine war, COVID and climate change are fuelling a growing global food crisis

ABC  

The farmers sleep fully clothed so they are ready to run for shelter. The report said nearly 193 million people in 53 countries and territories faced "crisis", "emergency" or "catastrophic" levels of food security in 2021 — the highest since the report began gathering data in 2016. "We already had record-high food prices, even in January, that was basically the …

UN: Record Number of People without Enough to Eat in 2021, Ukraine War to Make Food Insecurity Worse
2 years, 7 months ago

UN: Record Number of People without Enough to Eat in 2021, Ukraine War to Make Food Insecurity Worse

News 18  

The United Nations said Wednesday that the number of people without enough to eat on a daily basis reached all-time high last year and is poised to hit appalling new levels as the Ukraine war affects global food production. Almost 193 million people in 53 countries suffered acute food insecurity in 2021 due to what the UN said was a …

US to spotlight war-caused food insecurity at 2 UN events
2 years, 7 months ago

US to spotlight war-caused food insecurity at 2 UN events

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The United States said Tuesday it will put a spotlight on the impact of the war in Ukraine and other conflicts on the diminishing availability of food and rising prices at two U.N. events later this month, an issue which has sparked fears of increasing hunger and starvation in many countries. The United States holds the rotating …

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