Archive for category: Food Security

, ,

The Plan To Fight Hunger in Sudan

Hunger in SudanOn September 9, 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) launched a new plan to tackle hunger in Sudan. The Emergency Livelihood Response Plan (ELRP) for Sudan will support Sudanese individuals affected by the ongoing civil war.

To fight hunger in Sudan, the FAO will boost agricultural prosperity in the distribution of supplies, including seeds and treatment equipment for livestock. The plan aims to support 10.1 million people in Sudan and claims it will require $123 million in funding to implement over the next 12 months. 

Food Security in Sudan

The food situation in Sudan has worsened since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023, when the Sudanese Armed Forces clashed with the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum. Violence and resulting displacement have significantly impacted the country’s food supply system, which has led to hunger and malnutrition within Sudanese communities. 

With a population of 48.6 million, more than 20 million (42% of Sudanese) are thought to be food insecure. Record high levels of food insecurity have been seen each year since 2020. As a result, the World Food Programme (WFP) has placed Sudan in the highest emergency response category. The Overarching goals of the WFP in Sudan in the wake of the crisis reflect some of the country’s most pressing issues: treatment for malnutrition, the provision of school meals and the wider employment of common services — namely, logistics and telecommunication. 

The FAO’s Latest Plan

Four main priorities front the FAO’s new strategy to improve the food security situation in Sudan: high-quality seed, livestock and veterinary support, fisheries support and cash+ modality. A shared action between these branches of support is the plan to target specific households, using data to determine the most vulnerable farmers or fishers. For example, they seek to know who will benefit significantly from the program. 

Cash+ modality is an extensive method of support. For the Sudan ELRP, using cash+ involves a combination of ‘unconditional cash assistance and in-kind support coupled with training during the dry season’ (FAO). It is a two-fold mechanism that will provide varied aid to vulnerable agricultural households. The FAO’s outline for its plan addresses the need for specially designed, time-sensitive assistance to ensure the food security situation in Sudan can improve all year round. 

As it tackles the issue of hunger, the ELRP for Sudan primarily comes under the progress of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which aims to eradicate global hunger by 2030. The FAO also incorporates other SDGs into its plan for Sudan. For example, it will make progress towards SDG 5 (Gender Equality) in directing priority support towards female-headed agricultural households in the country since these households are statistically more food insecure than those headed by men. 

Conclusion

The FAO has a vast history of achievement, from its conception in 1945 to the present day. Amongst these successes, the FAO helped halve hunger statistics for individuals in Latin America and the Caribbean, currently maintains the largest global statistical database on food and agriculture and eradicated rinderpest. This disease proved fatal to livestock. 

Such a list of past achievements makes the FAO one of the key organizations in the fight to end extreme poverty. The planned improvement of food security and agricultural provisions in Sudan is a step towards advancing humanitarian aims and achieving global equality.

– Alice Weatherley
Photo: Unsplash

,

Food Security for Venezuelan Refugees in Colombia

Food Security for Venezuelan RefugeesThe collapse of global oil prices in 2014 led to a rapid economic decline in Venezuela and subsequent hyperinflation. In 2015, this caused a rebellion and the forming of a major opposition group whose leader Guaidó became the interim leader of Venezuela. The standoff between the two leaders was exacerbated by U.S. and EU support for Guaidó and Russian and Chinese support for Maduro. Social services could not be provided, and as a result, many refugees traveled underfed and carrying disease. While Maduro managed to get inflation down a bit in his presidency, the pandemic caused a second economic decline causing a second wave of refugees to arrive into Colombia.

More than 7.2 million Venezuelans fled their country from 2019 to 2023 due to the violent revolution and economic turmoil. Approximately 2.5 million have sought refuge in Colombia, and about 980,000 Colombians who were working there had to return to their home country — which now has to support over 2 million refugees seeking jobs and housing. This has caused an obvious strain on food security in Colombia. 

The 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan for Colombia identified 7.7 million people in the country to be in need of humanitarian assistance, in particular food security, health and protection. As of February 2023, approximately 30 percent of Colombian households were food-insecure. More than half of the migrant and refugee population in Colombia — 1.3 million people — face acute food insecurity.

Foreign Aid

USAID provided more than $958 million in response to the regional crisis since 2018. The primary focus was emergency food security in Colombia — cash transfers for food, food vouchers redeemable in local markets, hot meals and food kits for traveling refugees. Additionally, USAID has supported five NGO partners since 2021 to provide critical protection interventions such as hygiene kits, reproductive services and temporary shelter. In 2023, $47 million was set aside from the budget for this kind of emergency assistance. The U.S. understands that prosperous countries are great trade partners. Since 2012, Colombian agricultural exports to the United States have grown by more than $2.1 billion.

In hopes of boosting economic growth to accommodate the high number of refugees, the Colombian government signed a 2022-2026 National Development Plan amid the Venezuelan conflict. It was created with the help of e-government and regional input, the document being translated into 51 dialogues. There are five major outcomes, one of them being food security in Colombia. The country plans to increase food availability by improving roads for transport and providing online platforms to inform and help farmers with their logistics and operations. Colombia’s President Petro promised in 2022 to buy 1.23 million acres of land to give as farmland to rural communities in an effort to strengthen food security. Another of the five major outcomes is security for the individual — which encompasses a wider health care system, crucial for new refugees carrying disease. 

Unfortunately, many humanitarian aid groups face restrictions when trying to access certain communities in Colombia notably Guaviare, Nariño and Norte de Santander. OCHA, an emergency agency within the U.N. reported a 133% increase in restrictions on humanitarian assistance in Colombia between January and April 2023. President Petro signed a peace agreement with Maduro in 2022, and it is theorized that eager to re-establish ties with Venezuela, Petro downplayed the magnitude of the humanitarian issues Venezuela’s migrants face. Additionally, Colombia still does not have enough money to keep the economy stable. A Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan — aimed at helping Venezuelan migrants in 17 Latin American and Caribbean host countries — only received about 8% of the $1.72 billion in funding it needed for 2023. 

Final Thoughts on Food Security for Venezuelan Refugees

Thankfully some services have been in Colombia since before the conflict and have strengthened the economy. The U.N. Agency IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) has services to increase the productivity and income of small-scale farmers and rural entrepreneurs. The agency does this through the improvement of its assets, its association capacity, its access to markets and access to inclusive financial services. The NGO is creating partnerships with the private sector to develop permanent agribusinesses. It is crucial that the food available is well-distributed.

Thanks to foreign aid and a welcoming government, Venezuelan refugees are slowly gaining safety and food security in Colombia. Though much progress needs to be made for Colombia’s economy and refugees, international coverage of the Venezuelan conflict has brought in substantial finances to ease Colombia’s strain and give hope to its people.

– Claire Duvillier
Photo: Flickr

,

Potential of Grass Charcoal for Improving Livelihoods in Ghana

Grass CharcoalAs of 2023, around 6 million people in Ghana rely on wood fuel and tree charcoal for daily use, mainly for cooking, energy and income. Producing charcoal is an unsustainable practice and has led to deforestation and land degradation in Ghana. Therefore, the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies (MITDS), with the support of the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), has developed an alternative to wood fuel and tree charcoal by converting savannah grass into charcoal.

As of 2023, there have been two successful pilot projects in Ghana’s savannah and upper-west regions. The potential of grass charcoal for improving livelihoods in Ghana is significant. The replacement helps reduce ecological risks like bushfires and deforestation, events that threaten food security, creating employment opportunities and opening new markets by selling surplus grass charcoal produced by local communities.

How Is Grass Charcoal Made?

Producers make grass charcoal by harvesting dried savannah grass and burning it to produce an organic carbonized matter. Making the grass briquettes requires a binding agent to ensure the organic carbonized matter sticks together. Instead of using income to buy a product that binds the organic matter together, the locals have “developed a cassava dough that works just as well.” Then, the mixture goes through a compressor, which creates the briquettes. Then, the briquettes dry and are ready for cooking or selling at the market. 

The Grass Economy

Grass charcoal creates employment and income opportunities throughout rural Ghana due to the commoditization of grass; citizens can sell grass to people who produce briquettes, creating a grass market and an alternative form of income for locals. As of 2023, 488 people have been trained by the MITDS and FFF to sustainably harvest grass, produce briquettes and market any excess surplus for sale.

To further improve marketability to increase profits from the sales for local Ghanaian entrepreneurs making this charcoal, the MITDS and FFF have also developed grass paper used to package the charcoal to improve recognition of the product and allow producers to sell their goods at a higher price, increasing their profit margins. Furthermore, this grass paper has been identified as a good substitute roofing material for rural homes, improving insulation in houses and keeping them cool and dry during the dry season. 

Another potential way grass charcoal can improve livelihoods in Ghana is through carbon offsetting. Every 100kg of grass charcoal burned saves two trees. According to the MITDS, if Ghana uses grass charcoal widely across the nation, it could potentially offset “over 44,000 tons of carbon a year.” In monetary terms, the potential estimated income from carbon offsetting would be around $394,000, which could be reinvested into the economy, further improving livelihoods in Ghana. 

Increased Food Security

Using grass charcoal is essential for increasing food security in Ghana. During the harsh dry seasons, savannah grass often fuels large-scale bushfires. These disasters can decimate crops, affecting food security and livelihoods for people who rely on farming as a form of subsistence. In 2015, the Northern Region lost more than $5 million to the bushfires that destroyed farms and property.

In 2019, 400 hectares of rice farms were destroyed by bushfires in the Upper East and Northeast regions. Furthermore, in 2022, farmers living in Walewale, a small town in Ghana in the West Mamprusi Municipal, lost their livelihoods and produce to bushfires. The monetization of grass has placed an economic value on the resource, creating demand for harvesting and selling grass, consequently providing more protection from bushfires, reducing the damage done to farmlands and improving food security in the region.

The potential of grass charcoal to improve livelihood in Ghana has vast implications for food security, employment and income. Since it’s a relatively new invention and has only been trialed in specific regions of Ghana, it needs to be scaled up to see the full-scale impact. One of the main issues with grass charcoal is its cost,$8.95 per 100kg, around double the price of wood charcoal, with the higher cost attributed to the extra ingredients needed, mainly the binding agent used to make the briquettes. Policymakers are considering “government incentives to drive its adoption” to address this problem. This strategy has been used in Ghana, most notably when they promoted gas stoves as an alternative to wood charcoal stoves. 

– Kishan Patel
Photo: Flickr

, ,

Food Insecurity and Mental Health Around the Globe

Food Insecurity and Mental Health
In 2023, 9.2% of the world’s population faced chronic hunger, mostly in the developing world. Tragically, nearly one in five people in Africa are undernourished, compared to less than 3% in North America and Europe. 

Many may be familiar with the physical cost of hunger. However, they might not know the crippling psychological harms that food insecurity imposes. The interplay between food insecurity and mental health is one more reason why addressing global hunger has never been more urgent. 

The State of Food Insecurity and Mental Health 

Food insecurity is the lack of consistent access to nutritious food, often due to economic constraints. It raises the risk of chronic hunger, preventing people from leading active and healthy lives. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the world has witnessed inflation and scarcity, plunging 122 million more people into hunger in 2023 compared to 2019. 

Worrying about securing food, or living in perpetual fear of hunger, subjects low-income people to constant stress with serious potential consequences for their mental well-being. A Canadian study found that those grappling with food insecurity are three times more likely to report adverse mental health outcomes. Similarly, research in the U.S. estimated that food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic had three times the negative impact on mental health that pandemic job loss did.

The Hidden Cost of Living with Hunger 

Food insecurity itself inflicts psychological harm. However, some coping strategies can also breed anxiety or shame, particularly if social stigma marks them. This is another way food insecurity and mental health are tragically connected. 

Here are several common strategies for coping with food insecurity: 

  • Buying cheaper foods 
  • Borrowing money for food, or borrowing food 
  • Limiting food intake, especially parents limiting their food intake to ensure their children have enough to eat 
  • Begging for food 
  • Using government assistance or charitable programs, such as food banks 

In South Africa, where more than 20% of households experience food insecurity, researchers estimate that as many as one in five households have resorted to begging for food. This has an association with a higher risk of psychological harm compared to other coping strategies because of the uncertainty, danger and stigma that surrounds begging. 

The Path to Progress  

Improving food assistance mechanisms like government food banks or charitable programs may not provide a comprehensive solution when taking food insecurity and mental health into account. Especially when individuals risk being seen receiving food aid, seeking help often triggers embarrassment or stress. That means going to a local food bank is not enough to truly free people from the harms of hunger. 

Meaningful and sensitive improvements to tackle food insecurity could prove effective in combating mental health crises around the world. One promising initiative is Feed the Future, a program that the U.S. government funds and manages. In its 20 countries of operation, Feed the Future employs a three-part strategy including developing agriculture, building community resilience and working towards whole-population nourishment. Notably, this initiative builds systems for long-term food security, rather than short-term relief. 

From 2011-2021, Feed the Future secured $4.8 billion in funding for global food security and generated nearly four times that amount in global agricultural sales. The program estimates that 23.4 million more people are above the poverty line due to its work around the world.

The connection between food insecurity and mental health provides just another reason why combating global hunger is of the utmost importance. With compassionate, awareness-driven food aid, it is possible to alleviate hunger and benefit the physical and mental health of millions around the world.

– Faye Crawford
Photo: Flickr

,

Farmers and Food Security in Africa

Food Security in AfricaFood security in Africa is a serious issue caused by many different factors. Poverty is certainly a pressing one, but factors like extreme weather, disease outbreaks, political or market instability and conflict also have significant impacts. Often, these things play off of each other — yet poverty is nearly always a central figure. The global poor are significantly more likely to lose secure access to food in the face of other coinciding circumstances. That is why there are a number of initiatives that respond to food crises in impoverished places.

Agriculture Food Insecurity and Africa

In Africa, drought spreads across much of the continent, COVID-19 continuously threatens the economies of many countries and 281 million people are food insecure. In fact, 55 million African children under the age of five are considered severely malnourished. Yet, agricultural development to foster food security is consistently a small portion of national investments, as 48 out of 54 African governments spend only about 3.8% of their budgets on agriculture. Without access to nutritious food to eat every day, many Africans are looking for ways to make the agricultural systems more efficient and resilient. In a 2022 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) conference, representatives from more than 50 African countries came together to discuss regional agricultural systems and how they might be improved. Ultimately, it was decided that there are a number of factors that play into the development of agriculture in Africa — such as digitalization, education, infrastructure and financing. Agricultural development, through whatever form it takes, must be a priority in the future if food insecurity can ever be eradicated. 

The CAADP

A number of programs support this move toward continent-wide food security in Africa. The Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) is one initiative that looks to reduce poverty and foster food security in Africa through agricultural development. It is a continent-wide program led by a number of African countries. It has four primary goals: Sustainably manage land and water control systems, improve rural infrastructure and trade, increase food supply and improve agricultural development. Participating governments allocate around 10% — or more — of national budgets to agricultural and rural development. As a result, they have achieved agricultural growth rates of 6% per annum.

The FSRP

The Food Systems Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa (FSRP) is an impressive new project to increase food security in Africa. As of 2022, the World Bank Group approved $2.3 billion of funding to make it possible. With a focus on food crisis response strategies, the FSRP works to strengthen warning systems, increase emergency support, supply food reserves and create trade measures. It also increases the resilience of food systems — meaning they rely on the production of farming to provide for food-insecure places. This is done through the support of agricultural programs such as the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA). Thus, the FSRP can strengthen agricultural resilience and allow people to sustainably live and eat. 

Beyond Food Security in Africa

Agricultural development surely combats food insecurity, but its positive impacts go beyond that. Agriculture is the backbone of many African economies — crops, livestock, fisheries and more provide 80% of the population with jobs, contribute 43% to the continent’s GDP and account for 70% of export earnings. Thus, initiatives such as the FSRP are more than just food-based programs. They fight poverty itself.

– Char Nieberding
Photo: Unsplash

, , ,

Food Insecurity in East Timor

Food Insecurity in East TimorEast Timor, a small nation located in Southeast Asia, is grappling with a silent crisis that continues to haunt its people – hunger. Despite some remarkable progress since gaining independence, food insecurity in East Timor remains a pressing issue for many Timorese, threatening the well-being of its population and hindering the nation’s development.

Current State of Food Insecurity in East Timor

East Timor’s history is marred by conflict and political instability, which has had profound implications for its food systems. According to the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2022, East Timor ranks 110th out of 121 countries, indicating a serious level of hunger. The GHI measures hunger on a scale from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more severe hunger. East Timor’s score of 30.6 places it in the category of “serious” hunger levels.

The challenges faced by East Timor in achieving food security are multifaceted. One crucial factor is the limited access to arable land. The country’s mountainous terrain and limited fertile areas make agricultural cultivation challenging. According to the U.N. Human Rights Office, only about 11% of East Timor’s total land area is suitable for agriculture, severely constraining the potential for increased food production.

Furthermore, extreme weather events pose a significant threat to food security in East Timor. The country is prone to cyclones such as El Niño, floods and droughts, which can lead to the destruction of crops and livestock, undermining farmers’ livelihoods and exacerbating hunger. Recently, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that the 2021 Cyclone Seroja in East Timor alone caused an economic loss of approximately 20 to 50% of the country’s GDP with total recovery costs of $422 million (25% of non-oil GDP).

Actions Addressing the Challenges

To address these challenges, the East Timorese government, with support from international organizations and NGOs, has implemented several initiatives. For instance, The World Bank’s Timor-Leste Agriculture Rehabilitation Project, launched in 2001, aims to improve the productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers by providing training, access to agricultural inputs and market linkages for the country post-independence.

Additionally, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been supporting the establishment of agricultural cooperatives in East Timor. These cooperatives enable small farmers to pool their resources, access credit and receive training in modern farming techniques, thus enhancing their productivity and income.

Infrastructure development is also crucial for improving food security. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been supporting East Timor in developing rural road networks and irrigation systems, totaling their investment of up to $210.83 million in irrigation and agricultural infrastructure. These investments are vital for facilitating the transportation of goods from rural areas to markets, reducing post-harvest losses and improving farmers’ access to inputs and services.

– Kent Anderson
Photo: Unsplash

, ,

Improving Food Security in the Philippines

Food Security in the PhilippinesThe Philippines, a Southeast Asian country that is famous for its cultural richness and diverse landscape, struggles with a significant poverty rate of 18.1%. One of the factors contributing to this high percentage is the lack of food security in the Philippines. According to the UN, “the Philippines recorded the highest number of food insecure people in Southeast Asia from 2017 to 2019.” This insecurity stems from unpredictable weather patterns and social inequality.

The Role of GMOs in Improving Food Security

To combat food insecurity, various agrochemical companies have been genetically modifying crops globally since the 1990s. The Philippines has been actively involved in approving genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for commercial use, including Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn, Bt eggplant, and golden rice.

Golden Rice: A Solution to Vitamin A Deficiency

Golden rice, named for its golden-orange appearance, gained approval in 2021 due to its rich content of beta-carotene, a vital nutrient that a third of preschool-aged children are deficient in. The introduction of golden rice aims to reduce visual impairments and digestive issues that are a result of low vitamin A intake.

Positive Impacts of GM Technology

Beyond addressing nutrient deficiencies, GM technology offers various positive impacts. By utilizing GMOs, the use of chemical pesticides could be reduced by 37%, thus minimizing the environmental impact. Some reports have linked artificial pesticides to diseases and behavioral changes in animals, resulting in decreased reproduction and survival rates.

Controversy Surrounding GMOs

Despite the potential benefits, opposition to GMOs remains strong. Concerns about the sustainability of genetically modified crops have led to a recent Supreme Court writ prohibiting their commercial release.

Wilhelmina Pelegrina, the Southeast Asia strategy and analysis director for Greenpeace, stated in a press release that this decision “is a win for farmers and Filipinos who have long opposed genetically modified (GM) crops and the harm they bring to the people and the environment.”

The press release voiced the concerns of many GMO skeptics who argue that the Department of Agriculture should be prioritizing ecological agriculture in a way that equally addresses the needs of the farmers and access to nutritional food. Greenpeace suggests that the Department of Agriculture’s funding of GMOs only benefits larger corporate interests as opposed to the interests of the poor.

The Path Forward

With an anticipated surge in food demand by 2050, addressing food security becomes imperative. In Addition, the discourse between activists, lawmakers and the government could play a crucial role in determining the future approach to farming. As things stand, balancing the need for food security with concerns about GMOs remains an ongoing challenge in the Philippines.

– Christian Vince
Photo: Flickr

, ,

Fighting Food Insecurity in Ukraine 

Food Insecurity in UkraineSince Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the country has experienced several disastrous side effects that threaten the livelihoods of its people. The most pertinent issue at hand is the dangers to food security. With intense fighting on the frontlines and a myriad of reasons not to leave their homes, many people living on the front lines now struggle against food insecurity in Ukraine. In light of this, many institutions like the World Food Programme (WFP) have dedicated their efforts to fighting against food insecurity.

How Did Things Get Here?

The conflict between Ukraine and Russia has been a constant in world news since 2014 when Russia forcibly annexed Crimea from Ukraine and kickstarted the Donbas War. The 2022 full-scale invasion by Russia, however, proved to be the tipping point for several problems worldwide. Food insecurity especially is a growing problem in Ukraine and around the world.

Ukraine provides up to 30% of the world’s wheat and barley supply, an industry that has now been disrupted in the wake of Russia’s attack. Many people, both in Ukraine and around the world, have resultantly struggled with attaining food, either due to struggling supply chains in Ukraine or hikes in food prices in many countries.

The front lines of the conflict especially have been at risk of food insecurity in Ukraine. An estimated 40% of people in regions affected by the war struggle to get satisfactory amounts of food. Both the conflict and insufficient food supply are likely to increase poverty in the region.

To make matters more complicated, the recent collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam on June 6, 2023, has swathed critical farmland in flooding water. Detritus from the dam has also let contaminants taint the water, stifling the distribution of seafood and fish as another food source.

Because of the war and these compounding issues, the dangers of food insecurity in Ukraine have increased. There are, however, many efforts to combat this problem.

Fighting for Food Security and The WFP

The breakout of the conflict led to one of the biggest humanitarian efforts in the world, with many countries and institutions providing different forms of aid to Ukraine. In fighting food insecurity in Ukraine, Argentina helped deliver 1,500 tons of food to Ukraine alongside other necessities such as clothes and medicine.

Perhaps the biggest organization fighting against food insecurity in Ukraine, however, is WFP; an organization dedicated to fighting world hunger in any situation. The WFP works to provide support in food and cash to 3 million people in Ukraine each month. Its efforts include delivering rations to those in high-conflict zones as well as removing mines from farm plots to increase agriculture production.

Since the beginning of 2023, the WFP has delivered over 91,869 metric tons of food and over 4 million in rations to Ukraine. The recent collapse of the Nova Kakhovka dam has seen a quick response by the WFP, with 148,000 rations delivered to those affected by the flood. The WFP plans further assistance to those in need through additional means of transporting food, including boats.

In addition, the WFP has teamed up with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to establish the Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL) Cluster. The FSL Cluster helps to coordinate several other organizations in food security response within Ukraine, including U-Saved and the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief (SPIR). SPIR itself follows second to the WFP in terms of food distribution, bringing food to over 484,000 people near the front lines as of April of this year.

A Continuous Struggle

For now, the war continues, and food insecurity in Ukraine remains an issue. Through the efforts of groups like the WFP, however, many people within the country receive critical food assistance that saves them from hunger every day. Though the conflict may remain for the immediate future, the efforts of those fighting to keep people fed in Ukraine spell hope for those seeking a future without food insecurity.

– Kenneth Berends
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

,

The Effect of The Russian War in Ukraine on Poverty

The Russian War in Ukraine
According to a report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Russian war in Ukraine has prompted a surge in food and energy costs, pushing approximately 71 million people into poverty worldwide. The global food crisis is among the farthest-reaching consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine, contributing to widespread starvation and poverty across Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The outbreak of war in Ukraine has also caused a worldwide energy crisis. According to the World Economic Forum, global household energy costs have nearly doubled due to the rise in fuel prices.

It took within three months of the Russian invasion for 71 million people to fall into poverty, surpassing the economic impact felt during the peak of the pandemic. As of April 2023, the Russian war in Ukraine has catapulted millions into poverty worldwide, driving the global extreme poverty rate to 9.2%.

The Cause

Before the war, Russia was the world’s largest exporter of natural gas and crude oil, and Russia and Ukraine together accounted for a substantial portion of global wheat, corn and sunflower exports. Many know Ukraine as the “breadbasket of Europe” as it is among the world’s top three grain exporting countries.

Blocked ports have jeopardized low-income countries that rely on Russian and Ukrainian exports. Some of the affected countries include Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Haiti and Armenia.

Households in low-income countries allocate a significant proportion of their income (approximately 42%, according to AP News) to food expenses. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and the Kyrgyz Republic, food costs can account for up to 70% of household spending. The skyrocketing prices of wheat, sugar and cooking oil due to sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries have caused an additional financial strain on these families.

The Russian military has destroyed Ukrainian grain storage facilities, and many Ukrainian farmers have joined the army or left their land. Russian attacks on the energy grid have shut down nitrogen fertilizer plants. Transportation costs have soared, and shipping costs have doubled. Also, due to banking limitations and insurance expenses, Russia has stopped selling fertilizers, and this continues to affect farmers around the world.

Historically, Russia has been a major exporter of natural gas to Europe, but the international sanctions targeting the Russian energy sector have led to supply limitations which have boosted prices. Moscow has limited its exports, further driving up costs elsewhere. Vulnerable households tend to rely more on purchasing energy-intensive goods and services. The rise in energy prices has made households more vulnerable to energy poverty, which is especially dangerous in winter.

The Effect

While the rise in the cost of groceries and gas can be frustrating in wealthy nations such as the U.S. and the U.K., the impact of rising food and energy prices and disrupted supplies can be life-threatening in developing nations. The rate of price increase varies across regions, ranging from 60% in the U.S. to 1900% in Sudan, with the Middle East and North Africa taking the most hit. As both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of wheat, the war poses a serious threat to countries that heavily rely on grain from both countries for their staple foods. Some of the affected countries include Lebanon, Bangladesh and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Other countries, including Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka and the Kyrgyz Republic, do not have adequate resources to deal with the hunger crisis due to their debt burdens.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the price of fossil fuels sharply increased. According to the World Economic Forum, between February and September 2022, the cost of coal rose by 176%, crude oil and petroleum products increased by 51% and natural gas prices rose by 94%. This has increased global household expenditure by between 2.7% and 4.8%. Countries like Rwanda have been significantly affected, with household energy costs increasing up to three times the global average.

Russia’s military operations in Ukraine have had a major impact, causing Ukraine’s exports to go down from their average before the war of 5 million to 7 million metric tons of grains and oilseeds per month to an average of 3.5 million metric tons from March to November. Russia has blocked 7 of 13 ports that Ukraine uses, severely limiting shipping potential.

A Possible Solution

UNDP suggests that targeted cash transfers are more equitable than blanket energy subsidies, which may only provide short-term relief and reward the wealthier population. Cash transfers primarily assist the poorest 40% of the population whereas energy subsidies mainly benefit affluent individuals, with more than 50% of the benefits favoring the wealthiest 20% of the population. Additionally, a two-year debt moratorium could assist all developing countries, regardless of their GDP per capita.

What’s Next?  

The Russian war in Ukraine has catapulted millions into poverty worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for global cooperation to alleviate the horrors of war. The measures proposed by the UNDP have the potential to bring stability and improve the living conditions of millions affected by the war-induced food and energy crisis.

– Skye Connors
Photo: Flickr

Forest conservation for Food Security in West Papua

Food Security in West PapuaLand clearing for palm oil production has finally reached the pristine forests of West Papua. These forests provide a critical source of food and nutrition to local communities in the form of bush food and clearing them would threaten food security in West Papua. In response to the impending deforestation, local governments have pledged to conserve 70% of the region’s native forests.

Deforestation in Indonesia

Indonesia has historically had “the highest deforestation rates in the world.” The deforestation is largely due to land clearing to expand palm oil and other mono-crop plantations, an industry that national government policy encouraged. Despite the majority of Indonesia suffering major forest cover loss over the last two decades, the impacts of the oil palm industry have only recently reached the doorstep of Indonesia’s easternmost provinces of Papua and Papua Barat, known together as West Papua.

West Papua, which makes up the Indonesian half of the island of New Guinea, is covered in swathes of pristine and highly diverse tropical rainforests. The region has remained relatively untouched during Indonesia’s period of deforestation, with primary forests still covering 83% of West Papua’s land area. However, with available land in Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan becoming increasingly scarce, cleaning of the sections of the West Papuan forests has begun.

Changing Diets in West Papua

This land clearing is set to have an especially severe impact on West Papuan communities given the high level of poverty in the area and their reliance on the forest as a source of food. West Papua is the poorest region in Indonesia, with 28% of people living in poverty in the province of Papua and 23% in Papua Barat, as of 2018.

Forests have traditionally been an important source of food for the indigenous communities of West Papua. Traditionally, indigenous communities would forage and hunt in the forest for foods such as sago, wild bush meats and fresh legumes. These bush foods help form a diverse and micronutrient-rich diet that is high in vitamins. Bush foods like this have been shown to be a huge factor in maintaining healthy diets in countries all over the world and are a critical factor in current food security in West Papua.

Unfortunately, recent land clearing and plantation expansion in West Papua has already resulted in a shift in the diets of some local indigenous populations. Without easily accessible forests, local communities living in cleared areas have turned to more easily accessible food sources, namely store-bought goods. As a result, diets in these communities have transitioned away from traditional forest foods and towards ultra-processed foods like rice, instant noodles, tofu and biscuits. This dietary transition is now fuelling an increase in the already high rates of poverty, malnutrition and food insecurity in the region.

The Manokwari Declaration

In the fight to prevent further deforestation of West Papua’s unique and important forests, local governments have committed to large-scale conservation targets. Unfortunately, new plans to carve up the two existing provinces into five may undermine the validity of the recent Manokwari Declaration, putting the people and forests of West Papua back into jeopardy. The rationale from the government for this redrawing of boundaries is to speed up development and increase economic equality. However, some claim that previous instances of remapping have in fact served the elite rather than the poor.

In the current context of changing provinces, the local governments may need support to maintain the validity of the Declaration. However, despite the threats to its existence, the Manokwari Declaration still represents the first step in preserving West Papua’s forests, and thus protecting health, nutrition and food security in West Papua.

– Amy McAlpine
Photo: Flickr