The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has cautioned that Russia’s war against Ukraine could lead to what he called “a hurricane of hunger” and food insecurity around the world.
The Secretary General said many African and poorer countries relied heavily on Russian and Ukrainian wheat production, now endangered by the conflict.
Already, Burkina Faso, Somalia and Yemen are already struggling to feed their populations. He added that the war may likely make that worse.
The UN chief then called for an immediate ceasefire to avoid a breakdown of the world food systems.
He also announced a $40m package to help millions of Ukrainians facing hunger and dwindling supplies of water and medicine.
Russia began an invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War that began in 2014. It is the largest conventional military attack in Europe since World War II.
Although Ukraine’s resistance has been stronger than expected. However, Russian forces continue to take territory in the south and are slowly moving towards the capital, Kyiv.
By Hussein Jama
March 16, 2022
