The United Nations (UN) is sounding the alarm and calling on Russia to unblock the export of Ukrainian grains in the context of the worsening food crisis since the Russian aggression began.
Russia should allow safe and secure export of grain stored in Ukrainian portssaid the Secretary General ofUNAntonio Guterres.
At a United States -led ministerial meeting in New York, Guterres said that alternative transportation routes for the maritime shipment of these cereals, which filled the nodes in Odessa, can be explored, although we know that the problem alone cannot be solved.
The United Nations World Food Program said the conflict had not only led to rising grain prices but could also push Ukraine’s wheat -dependent countries to starvation.
Food insecurity heralds that before the war in Ukraine due to other conflicts as well as climate and economic crises.
However, the invasion of Russian forces in Ukraine exacerbated the situation. Ukraine and Russia alone make up 30% of the world’s wheat trade, and some countries, especially Lebanon and Bangladesh, rely on them for this staple food.
In addition to cereals,UN like unlimited access Russian fertilizers on world markets.
Russian fertilizers are not subject to Western sanctions, but Moscow has stopped their export.
Bankers in the arena
In response, the World Bank announced an envelope of 12 billion dollars over the next 15 months, most of which will go to countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe as well as Central and South Asia.
This envelope is intended to support projects promoting agriculture, social protection to suppress the effects of rising food priceswater supply and irrigation, the institution said.
The World Bank also announced that it has 18.7 billion unused dollars to be allocated to the projects.
In total, this represents more than 30 billion dollars available for implementing the fight against food insecurity over the next 15 months.explanation of the World Bank.
” In order to inform and stabilize the markets, it is important that countries today make a clear statement about future production increases in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “
Mr. recommends. Malpass to make nations concerted effort to increase the supply of energy and fertilizers and to help farmers increase planting and crop yields. He also asks them remove policies blocking exports and imports […] or encourage unnecessary hoarding.
In New York, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stressed the United States ’commitment to fighting hunger and malnutrition.
unblocked washington additional $ 215 million for combating food insecurity, he said.
Canada is no exception. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly promised that Canada’s approach will be bold.
From multilateral funding to supply chain logistics support, food inspectors and freight forwarding, we will joinlaunched by Ms. Joly.
” We will release Ukrainian grain and countries will receive their shipments. To the Secretary General, of course, we will support his efforts to find a peaceful and lasting solution to release these grains. “
Canada will send cargo ships to ports in Romania and other European countries adjacent to Ukraine to assist in its wheat exports, Ms. Joly in his speech on Wednesday as wheat of freedom.
Source: Radio-Canada
