The goal of Zero Hunger is at risk
The Zero Hunger program launched by the UN in 2012 reflects five main targets - ensure access by all people, end all forms of malnutrition, double the agricultural productivity, ensure a sustainable food production system and maintain genetic diversity of seeds. However, for the past 2 years, due to the COVID-19 crisis, many countries around the world have been struggling to access food supplies, especially for the most vulnerable population groups, which are likely to deteriorate further due to the social-economic and health-related impacts.
This has clearly put the world off track to ending world hunger by 2030. Between 720 and 811 million people went hungry in 2020, and of course, this number is expected to increase in 2022 due to the Russian invasion emerging in February. This war is not only another refugee crisis but also results in a far-reaching impact on hunger and food security across the world.
Why are Ukraine and Russia so important to food security?
Ukraine and Russia together are sometimes called the ‘Breadbasket of Europe’. Both countries play an important role in global food markets, and they are top exporters of sunflower oil, wheat, and other major grains. Even though the potential impact of reduced food imports may be felt differently by the rest of the world, nearly every continent depends on them for either sunflower oil or wheat.
The Russian invasion has doubtlessly resulted in the temporary closure of daily operations in exporting in Ukraine, and despite the fact that the country allows most of the farmers to remain instead of fighting to sustain food supply, at least for domestic consumption, many farms are either shut down, occupied, or destroyed by Russian soldiers. Farmers also reduced their working time on the farm for security reasons, such as curfew hours.
How did the war affect the prices of food?
The sudden drop in the exports of major staple food commodities also affects the prices of food locally and internationally. The scarcity of food has led to rising prices given the high demand and restricted supply, and the deaths of household heads. Job losses lead to falling income for each household which makes it more difficult for Ukrainians to access food. For the rest of the countries, more income is spent on food. For example, a rise in food prices in Nigeria would result in an average of 56.4% of its income being spent on food, compared with an average share of food expenditure of only 8.2% in the UK.
Difficulties for food aid workers
Food aid would decrease during times of war, and often one or both sides would block relief operations from civilians, leaving those living in conflict zones to battle hunger alone and suffer desperately hunger. Sometimes, it is just too dangerous for aid workers to deliver supplies, and also, there is no secure and reliable way for other charitable organizations to donate food directly to the hands of people who really need food aid desperately.
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