Twelve billion dollars from the World Bank and a UN call for the release of Ukrainian grain: the international community has redoubled its efforts to tackle the food crisiswhich worsened after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
«Russia must allow safe and secure export of grain stored in Ukrainian portsUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was summoned on Wednesday during a ministerial meeting in New York by the United States.
«Alternative routes of transport may be considered “for the transport by sea of cereals found mainly in the barns of Odessa,” even if we know that this will not be enough to solve the problem“, He added Guterres.
Even before the war in Ukraine, food insecurity had increased worldwide due to conflict, climate and economic crises.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated the situation, with the two countries exporting 30% of the world’s grain consumption.
In parallel with the release of Ukrainian exports, the head of the UN called for “unrestricted access” to international markets for food and fertilizers from Russia.
Western sanctions against Moscow do not include fertilizers, but Russia has decided to suspend their exports. Moreover, foreign countries may not be able to buy them due to sanctions imposed on the Russian financial system, according to diplomats.
For their part, the international financial institutions announced yesterday “an action plan” with concrete measures to accelerate the existing programs “concerning projects that meet the immediate needs”.
The World Bank has announced it will provide $ 12 billion over the next 15 months, most of which will go to Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Central and South Asia, the agency said.
“Clear statements”
This money will be used mainly for projects to support agriculture in these countries, for “social protection to offset the effects of rising food prices” and for the promotion of water supply and water supply projects.
The World Bank will also provide $ 18.7 billion that has not been used for other projects.
«In total, more than $ 30 billion will be allocated to the fight against food insecurity over the next 15 months.“, Revealed the The World Bank.
«Rising food prices have a devastating effect on the poorest and most vulnerable“, Complained its president David Malpas.
«In order to inform and stabilize the markets, it is crucial that countries now make clear statements about the future increase in their production in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.“, He estimated.
“Useless storage”
Malpas advised countries to “make a concerted effort” not only to increase their energy and fertilizer supply and help farmers increase their crops, but also to “lift policies that impede exports and imports ( …) Or encourage the useless storage of products.
From New York US Secretary of State Anthony Blinkenwho chaired the summit on the food crisis, underlined the US commitment to the fight against malnutrition and hunger.
Washington has released “an additional $ 215 million” to address food insecurity, he explained.
«In just two years, the number of people experiencing acute food insecurity has doubled, from 135 million before the pandemic to 276 million today.“, Stressed o Gutters.
Last year, 193 million people in 53 countries were in a state of acute food insecurity, meaning they were in urgent need of help to survive, according to the UN.
And the concern increased when Indiahit by extreme heat, has banned grain exports to ensure the food security of its 1.4 billion inhabitants.
On Monday, the US ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, stressed that countries should jointly consider “which of them could help address the shortage” of grain caused by the invasion of Ukraine.
According to her, the US could be among these countries. Discussions are already underway with American growers in this direction.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News
and be the first to know all the news
