At a ministerial meeting on world hunger at UN headquarters in New York, the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the number of severely food insecure people had doubled in just two years – from 135 million before the pandemic to 276 million today, with more than half a million experiencing starvation conditions – an increase of more than 500% since 2016.

“These appalling numbers are inextricably linked to conflict, both as a cause and as an effect,” he said.

“If we don’t feed people, we feed conflict,” the UN chief warned.

Hunger triggers

The climate emergency is another driver of hunger around the world, Guterres added, noting that 1.7 billion people have been affected by extreme weather and climate-related disasters over the past decade.

In addition, the economic shock caused by Covid has aggravated food insecurity by reducing incomes and disrupting supply chains, resulting in an uneven economic recovery.

Access to financial markets has been restricted and some developing states are now on the brink of debt default.

“Today, the war in Ukraine is amplifying and accelerating all of these factors: climate change, Covid-19 and inequality,” Guterres said.

The repercussions of the war in Ukraine

Together, Ukraine and Russia produce almost a third of the world’s wheat and barley and half of the sunflower oil. Russia and Belarus are the world’s second and third largest producers of potash, a key ingredient in fertilizers.

The war threatens to tip “tens of millions of people into food insecurity and then into malnutrition, mass hunger and starvation, in a crisis that could last for years”, warned the UN chief.

“Over the past year, world food prices have risen by nearly a third, fertilizer prices by more than half and oil prices by nearly two-thirds,” Guterres said.

Devastated societies

At the same time, most developing countries do not have the fiscal space to cushion the shock of these huge increases, and many cannot borrow because markets are closed to them.

“If high fertilizer prices continue, the current grain and cooking oil crisis could affect many other foods, including rice, and impact billions of people in Asia and the Americas,” he detailed.

In addition, children are at risk of being stunted throughout their lives; millions of women and children will suffer from malnutrition; girls will be taken out of school and forced to work or marry; and families will take dangerous journeys across continents just to survive.

“High rates of hunger have a devastating impact on individuals, families and societies,” the UN chief explained.

Five urgent measures

However, if we act together, there is enough food for everyone, he said, adding that “ending hunger is within our reach”.

The Secretary-General then presented five urgent measures to resolve the crisis in the short term and prevent long-term damage, starting with reducing market pressure by increasing the food supply – without restrictions on exports and putting surpluses to available to those who need it most.

“But let’s be clear: there is no effective solution to the food crisis without reintegrating food production from Ukraine, as well as food and fertilizers produced by Russia and Belarus, into world markets, despite the war,” he said.

Second, social protection systems must cover all those in need with food and cash. Also, water, sanitation, nutrition and livelihood support must be provided.

Fourth, governments must support agricultural production and invest in resilient food systems that protect small-scale food producers.

And finally, humanitarian operations must be fully funded to prevent starvation and reduce hunger.

Act in solidarity

In conclusion, the UN chief said that the Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance is monitoring the impact of the crisis on vulnerable people, identifying and pushing for the search for solutions.

“The food crisis respects no borders, and no country can overcome it alone,” he said, adding “our only chance to lift millions of people out of hunger is to act together, urgently.” and with solidarity.

Goodwill is needed

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken chaired the meeting where Foreign Ministers from some 30 countries from various regions discussed actions to achieve global food security, nutrition and resilience .

Describing the current situation as “the greatest global food insecurity crisis of our time”, Mr Blinken attributed the urgency to conflict, drought and natural disasters – compounded by Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Although hopeful, he said “there is still a long way to go” and that “the complex security, economic and financial implications require the goodwill of all parties”.

To address the global crisis, the US Secretary announced $215 million in humanitarian aid.

It is urgent to open the ports

The head of the World Food Program (WFP), David Beasley, drew attention to a world that is “too fragile” after years of conflict, pandemics and climate threats.

He also noted that current funding shortfalls could prevent access to food for as many as four million people.

Furthermore, the senior WFP official stressed that “failure to open ports” in Ukraine and beyond will push people to the brink of starvation.

Although the “silos are full”, blockages and other obstacles make them inaccessible, Mr Beasley said, urging governments to “step in” now.