Last year, grain exports from Ukraine fed 400 million people globally. Currently, very little is leaving the country.
According to NGOs, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and blockade of its ports has a direct impact on global food shortages.
The World Food Programme has underlined the particular impact on Somalia.
The fighting exacerbates an already awful situation.
“Food prices were already escalating dramatically.
“The current cause for concern is that Ukraine is exacerbating these issues, as well as the impact that the Ukraine conflict is having on aviation fuel costs and international shipping costs.
Currently, the greatest concern is that Ukraine will exacerbate an already catastrophic situation.
In the next months, about 7.1 million Somalians, including more than 200,000 who face catastrophic levels of food insecurity, will face a severe food insecurity emergency. Famine is imminent.
“People are abandoning everything,” said Mr. Wilton, “travelling with only the possessions they can carry, together with some animals and their families, for sometimes days in order to reach a place where they believe they may receive aid.”
The conflict in Ukraine threatens to transform a crisis into a tragedy for the hundreds of millions of people throughout the world who rely on its grain.
In 2012, its grain exports nourished 400 million people around the world. Currently, very little is leaving the country.
Russia is not only accused of blocking Ukraine’s ports, but also of taking its grain. It was captured by satellite and loaded onto ships in the occupied ports.
Illegal grain diversion is occurring in drought- and hunger-stricken countries like Kenya.
Globally, the price of grain and gasoline is rising, making it more difficult to assist those in need.
Russia is accused of weaponizing the grain supply of the Ukraine. However, Moscow seems unmoved by the intensifying international condemnation.
Turkey is leading diplomatic attempts to establish grain corridors through the Black Sea.
The tremendous suffering produced by the war in Ukraine will continue to be exported well beyond its boundaries if no progress is made.
