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On Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said there was a “real risk” of multiple famine crises this year, and called for a meeting of food security ministers to take practical steps to stabilize food markets and reduce commodity price volatility.
“We are facing an unprecedented hunger crisis,” Guterres said at a virtual meeting in Berlin. “The war in Ukraine has further complicated the problems that have arisen for years: climate change; COVID-19 pandemic; deeply uneven recovery. “
More than 460,000 people in Somalia, Yemen and South Sudan are in extreme hunger according to the Integrated Food Safety Phase Classification (IPC) – a scale used by UN agencies, regional bodies and aid groups. defined food insecurity. This is the step before the declaration of famine in a region.
Millions of people in 34 states are on the brink of starvation, according to IPC statistics.
“There is a real danger that many countries will declare a famine crisis in 2022. And 2023 could be even worse,” Guterres said, calling mass hunger and food crises in the 21st century unacceptable.
Guterres said there would be no effective solution to the crisis unless Ukraine and Russia, which together produce about 29% of grain exports, find a way to resume trade.
Shipments from Ukrainian ports have stopped since the start of Russia’s occupation of its neighbor. Moscow wants some Western sanctions lifted in order to resume its exports of wheat and agricultural fertilizers.
The United Nations and Turkey are trying to mediate an agreement.
Guterres did not elaborate on the talks, saying “public statements could hamper the success of the negotiations.” He also urged ministers at the Berlin summit to address the financial crisis in developing countries
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