Action Against Hunger welcomes the emergency meeting of G7 agriculture ministers in Berlin to address the issue of global food security.
The war in Ukraine will have serious implications for food security in other regions of the world. Around 40% of Ukraine’s exports of wheat, maize and vegetable oils go to Africa and the Middle East. As the world’s largest wheat exporter, Russia supplies Yemen, Nigeria and Indonesia, among many others.
For several West African countries, high dependence on wheat imports from Russia and Ukraine is a major challenge. According to FAO estimates, 30% of the wheat consumed in Africa comes from these two countries. Disrupted supply chains and rising food prices will significantly increase food insecurity in the region.
G7 must meet its humanitarian obligations
“The war in Ukraine is devastating. While we respond to the horrific humanitarian disaster unfolding before us, we must also do everything we can to prevent a global hunger crisis.
“We know 811 million people in the world are living with hunger. The UK must live up to the commitments they made in the G7 Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Crises Compact, in order to prevent new famines emerging as a result of escalating food prices and rising conflict globally.
“We cannot wait to react once a hunger crisis strikes – we need to act now.”
Aid in Ukraine and neighbouring countries
The devastating conflict in Ukraine has caused a humanitarian crisis in a very short time. Within two weeks, around 2.3 million people have fled to neighbouring countries. According to forecasts, up to 7 million people will be displaced in the coming weeks. The situation in conflict areas is worrying: reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure essential for survival are mounting. The UN estimates that up to 18 million Ukrainians will need humanitarian aid in the country and in neighbouring countries.
Action Against Hunger has supported some of the first aid deliveries to the Polish-Ukrainian border. Emergency relief teams are currently in Poland, Moldova and Romania. From there, they will coordinate our humanitarian aid for Ukrainian families. Action Against Hunger will also provide comprehensive humanitarian aid in Ukraine as soon as possible – including drinking water, food, medicine and hygiene products.