The first half of 2022 has raised the spectre of yet another global crisis compromising aspirations for a better world by 2030: On top of the continuing pandemic, conflict and instability, including most recently in Ukraine, pose a major threat to global food and nutrition security and country owned food systems. This year's EU-supported Global Report on Food Crises estimates that in 2021, 193 million people experienced 'crisis' levels of acute food insecurity (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above) and needed urgent assistance across 53 countries/territories. This humanitarian crisis also threatens to exacerbate the unfavourable outlook for nutrition.
Russia and Ukraine provide around 30% of global wheat exports. As a result, prices of wheat have soared since the war began. This undermines people's ability to afford a healthy diet and improve their nutritional status – especially vulnerable populations. The UN Secretary General has warned that the Ukraine crisis could lead to a 'hurricane of hunger and a meltdown of the global food system', while the World Food Programme has expressed grave fears that 2022 could be a year of catastrophic hunger.
The need for an integrated approach, addressing both food security and nutrition is critical. This includes besides short- and medium support to countries in need, a long-term strategy in fighting hunger and multiple forms of malnutrition. A food systems transformation is necessary to absorb stresses, be more resilient, and ensure nutritious and healthy diets even in the face of crises.
- Marjeta Jager - Deputy Director-General INTPA
- Gerda Verburg - UN ASG and Coordinator of the SUN Movement
- Céline Mias - CARE International, EU Representative & Head of Office; representing Generation Nutrition
- Wim Olthof - Deputy Head of Unit, INTPA F3 Unit, Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and Fisheries
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