UN: Latin America at risk of food crisis over Ukraine war

The region of Latin America and the Caribbean is now facing the threat of a food crisis due to the war in Ukraine, with the region not yet overcoming the shock of the pandemic of the new coronavirus, the World Food Program (WFP) stressed yesterday. .

“Millions of people could fall into poverty and food insecurity if the war in Ukraine continues,” warned Lola Castro, director of the Panama-based RDP’s department.

At least 9.3 million people were already experiencing food insecurity and their number could, in the “worst case”, reach 13.3 million if the conflict continues, according to a UN press release.

“Raw material and energy prices have risen sharply (…). Rising food prices are threatening the region, where many countries are heavily dependent on grain imports, especially in the Caribbean,” he said. the RDP.

Prices for basic necessities such as rice, black beans, lentils and vegetable oils per metric ton increased by 27% from January to April and by 111% from January 2019 to April 2022, he added. the service.

Before the war broke out, Russia was the world’s largest exporter of wheat, while Ukraine was in 4th place and was on its way to 3rd place.

The region of Latin America and the Caribbean was already affected by the new coronavirus pandemic, rising prices and extreme weather conditions, Ms. Castro said with concern.

The RDP has called for more than $ 315 million to be raised to cover the cost of its humanitarian work in the region over the next six months.

“As the number of hungry people increases, the gap between our financial needs and the resources available continues to widen,” said the director of the RDP department in charge of the region.

Source: AMPE