2023-07-21 20:28:39
After the grain agreement between Russia and Ukraine was not renewed, there are concerns that global hunger will worsen. The first effects are likely to be felt by people in regions with acute hunger numbers in the Global South, which are served by the World Food Program (WFP).
The World Food Program has to buy wheat at higher prices and cannot rely on deliveries from Ukraine. It has to obtain grain from the market at significantly higher prices and is then forced to cut food rations in Somalia, Yemen, Syria or other troubled areas.
Even countries in North Africa, in the Near and Middle East such as Lebanon, Tunisia, Pakistan or Bangladesh, which do not have large grain reserves but have to order grain regularly, will pass on the rising world market prices to the population, some of whom have been deeply impoverished by inflation and economic crises. Bread is becoming unaffordable for many people in these countries.
Also affected are countries in sub-Saharan Africa that do not cover their daily calorie requirements completely, but do cover a certain proportion (approx. 10-15%) with wheat products (bread), especially in the cities. These are countries in West and East Africa (Kenya, Senegal, Nigeria). Finally, due to the harvest season, countries like Egypt, which have large grain reserves, will have to buy in wheat at significantly higher prices in order to replenish their stocks, as their stocks are slowly emptying and their own harvest only covers 50% of their needs.
With its local partners, Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe is working to combat hunger around the world.
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