India's wheat exports reached a record high in April, topping 1.4 million tonnes. Can India sustain this level of supply? Will India's exports avert a global food crisis? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: India's wheat exports avert global food crisis

UN agencies have warned that price hikes fueled by the Russia-Ukraine conflict will worsen the food crisis in Africa. Millions of African people are already going through extreme poverty due to the COVID- 19 pandemic, armed conflicts, climate shocks and economic turmoil, more in our next report take a look!

Russia-Ukraine conflict to fuel food crisis in Africa

A UN food agency official said on Friday that about 25 million tonnes of grains are stuck in Ukraine and unable to leave owing to infrastructure problems and blocked Black Sea ports, including Mariupol.

According to the FAO, the obstructions are a role in rising food prices, which reached a record high in March following Russia’s “special military operation” before easing marginally in April.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-destroyed-400-hospitals-leaving-patients-in-extreme-difficulties-zelensky-476697">Russia destroyed 400 hospitals, leaving patients in extreme difficulties: Zelensky</a>

Reuters reports that according to figures from the International Grains Council, Ukraine was the world’s fourth-largest exporter of maize (corn) and the sixth-largest exporter of wheat in the 2020/2021 season.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Russia-Ukraine tensions: Third round of evacuation ops underway; UN, Red Cross renew efforts

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FAO Deputy Director, Markets and Trade Division, Josef Schmidhuber in a Geneva press conference via Zoom said, “It's an almost grotesque situation we see at the moment in Ukraine with nearly 25 million&nbsp;tonnes of grain that could be exported but that cannot leave the country simply because of lack of infrastructure, the blockade of the ports."

He further said that the full silos may cause storage problems for the upcoming harvest in the month of July and August. Another matter of concern, he continued, is indications that some grain storage facilities in Ukraine have been destroyed because of the war.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Ukraine has been obliged to export grain via&nbsp;train over its western border or from its minor Danube River ports since Moscow initiated the war in late February.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/not-helping-ukraine-target-russian-generals-pentagon-476727">Not helping Ukraine 'target' Russian generals: Pentagon</a>

The head of the World Trade Organisation in conversation with Reuters said that she is “extremely concerned” about rising food prices and is working with other partners to find answers for the same.&nbsp;

"It would really help the world if we could evacuate this grain (from Ukraine)," Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said. "There's a serious risk of food prices going up and spiraling out of affordability that could lead to more hunger."

(With inputs from agencies)

Decode the geostrategy, diplomacy, and ideologies of the world’s unending wars. Catch our special series ‘World at War’ every Saturday at 8:30 PM IST and Sunday at 10:30 PM IST only on WION.&nbsp;

A UN food agency official said on Friday that about 25 million tonnes of grains are stuck in Ukraine and unable to leave owing to infrastructure problems and blocked Black Sea ports, including Mariupol.

A UN food agency official said on Friday that about 25 million tonnes of grains are stuck in Ukraine and unable to leave owing to infrastructure problems and blocked Black Sea ports, including Mariupol. According to the FAO, the obstructions are a role in rising food prices, which reached a record high in March following Russia’s “special military operation” before easing marginally in April. Also read | Russia destroyed 400 hospitals, leaving patients in extreme difficulties: Zelensky Reuters reports that according to figures from the International Grains Council, Ukraine was the world’s fourth-largest exporter of maize (corn) and the sixth-largest exporter of wheat in the 2020/2021 season. Watch | Russia-Ukraine tensions: Third round of evacuation ops underway; UN, Red Cross renew efforts FAO Deputy Director, Markets and Trade Division, Josef Schmidhuber in a Geneva press conference via Zoom said, “It's an almost grotesque situation we see at the moment in Ukraine with nearly 25 million tonnes of grain that could be exported but that cannot leave the country simply because of lack of infrastructure, the blockade of the ports." He further said that the full silos may cause storage problems for the upcoming harvest in the month of July and August. Another matter of concern, he continued, is indications that some grain storage facilities in Ukraine have been destroyed because of the war. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: Ukraine has been obliged to export grain via train over its western border or from its minor Danube River ports since Moscow initiated the war in late February. Also read | Not helping Ukraine 'target' Russian generals: Pentagon The head of the World Trade Organisation in conversation with Reuters said that she is “extremely concerned” about rising food prices and is working with other partners to find answers for the same. "It would really help the world if we could evacuate this grain (from Ukraine)," Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said. "There's a serious risk of food prices going up and spiraling out of affordability that could lead to more hunger." (With inputs from agencies) Decode the geostrategy, diplomacy, and ideologies of the world’s unending wars. Catch our special series ‘World at War’ every Saturday at 8:30 PM IST and Sunday at 10:30 PM IST only on WION.

Nearly 25 million tonnes of grain stuck in Ukraine: UN food agency

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has triggered food crisis across the globe. India has now stepped in to export almost about 7 million tons of its 107 million tons of wheat that is produced in the country every year. Egypt has confirmed that it will start importing wheat from India

Food Crisis: World's biggest importer Egypt to import Wheat from India

West&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;is facing its worst&nbsp;food&nbsp;crisis&nbsp;on record&nbsp;driven&nbsp;by&nbsp;conflict, drought, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on&nbsp;food&nbsp;prices and availability, aid agencies said on Tuesday.

There are about 27 million people suffering from hunger in the region and that number could rise to 38 million by June, a 40 per cent&nbsp;increase from last year and a&nbsp;historic&nbsp;high, said 11 international aid organizations in a joint statement.

Large swathes of&nbsp;West&nbsp;Africa, including parts of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, are facing Islamist insurgencies that have forced millions of people off their land. Along with Chad, those are the countries most affected by hunger.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/cloning-pets-is-all-the-rage-and-it-can-cost-thousands-of-dollars-heres-how-it-works-468555">Cloning pets is all the rage, and it can cost thousands of dollars. Here's how it works</a>

The region has also seen worsening floods and droughts due to the effects of climate change, making it harder to farm. Cereal production in 2021/22 was down 39 per cent&nbsp;year-on-year in Niger and 15 per cent&nbsp;in Mali, according to&nbsp;West&nbsp;Africa's&nbsp;Food&nbsp;Crisis&nbsp;Prevention Network.

On top of that, global&nbsp;food&nbsp;prices have&nbsp;surged and trade has been disrupted due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Border closures due to COVID-19 have also had a negative impact, the&nbsp;Food&nbsp;Crisis&nbsp;Prevention Network said.

Watch |&nbsp;Drought crisis in the horn of Africa, 13 million people face severe hunger

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"What is new and worsening is mainly all the displaced people and abandoned land because of&nbsp;conflict, but also we are witnessing new drivers," said Assalama Dawalack Sidi, Oxfam's regional director for&nbsp;West&nbsp;and Central&nbsp;Africa.

Six&nbsp;West&nbsp;African countries import 30-50 per cent&nbsp;of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine, according to the United Nations&nbsp;Food&nbsp;and Agriculture Organization (FAO).&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankas-newly-appointed-finance-minister-quits-after-just-one-day-468483">&nbsp;Sri Lanka's newly-appointed finance minister quits after just one day</a>

The Ukraine war also risks redirecting much-needed funding from the region, Sidi warned.

"Many donors have already indicated that they may cut funding for&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;to pay for refugees in Europe," she said.

West Africa is facing its worst food crisis on record driven by conflict, drought, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on food prices and availability, aid agencies said on Tuesday.

West Africa is facing its worst food crisis on record driven by conflict, drought, and the impact of the war in Ukraine on food prices and availability, aid agencies said on Tuesday. There are about 27 million people suffering from hunger in the region and that number could rise to 38 million by June, a 40 per cent increase from last year and a historic high, said 11 international aid organizations in a joint statement. Large swathes of West Africa, including parts of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, are facing Islamist insurgencies that have forced millions of people off their land. Along with Chad, those are the countries most affected by hunger. Also read | Cloning pets is all the rage, and it can cost thousands of dollars. Here's how it works The region has also seen worsening floods and droughts due to the effects of climate change, making it harder to farm. Cereal production in 2021/22 was down 39 per cent year-on-year in Niger and 15 per cent in Mali, according to West Africa's Food Crisis Prevention Network. On top of that, global food prices have surged and trade has been disrupted due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Border closures due to COVID-19 have also had a negative impact, the Food Crisis Prevention Network said. Watch | Drought crisis in the horn of Africa, 13 million people face severe hunger "What is new and worsening is mainly all the displaced people and abandoned land because of conflict, but also we are witnessing new drivers," said Assalama Dawalack Sidi, Oxfam's regional director for West and Central Africa. Six West African countries import 30-50 per cent of their wheat from Russia and Ukraine, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Also read | Sri Lanka's newly-appointed finance minister quits after just one day The Ukraine war also risks redirecting much-needed funding from the region, Sidi warned. "Many donors have already indicated that they may cut funding for Africa to pay for refugees in Europe," she said.

West Africa faces historic food crisis driven by conflict, price surge

Soaring energy prices in Britain have adversely impacted the lives of the people. Vast glass houses stand empty as owners cannot heat them to grow vegetables, experts have warned that UK is now walking into a huge food security crisis, energy crisis triggered by Russian invasion of Ukraine.

UK experts forecast food security crisis, British govt likely to raise food prices

The war in Ukraine has triggered a food crisis in Bangladesh. Traders are hoarding essential commodities to drive up prices. The Bangladesh government has responded by announcing a nationwide ration scheme. Mariam Wardak tells you more.

South Asia Diary: Ukraine war triggers food crisis in Bangladesh

Ukraine and Russia make up more than 25% of global wheat exports. They also export 75% of the world's sunflower oil. The war in Ukraine could sever supply lines and trigger a food crisis. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Ukraine war triggers global food crisis

Yemen in facing large-scale destruction and perennial hunger in the conflict-ridden country with no food and aid supplies. Yemenis are struggling day in and day out to keep themselves alive our next report brings you more details, take a look.

Conflict, destruction and perennial hunger in conflict-ridden Yemen

Food or Fuel? The Sri Lankan govt is in a dilemma on what to purchase first. It's facing an acute shortage of both these essentials. It's relying on loans to stay afloat. India has granted USD 500 million more to help Colombo. Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: 'Hand-To-Mouth situation' in Sri Lanka: Food and Fuel supplies run out

Food crisis is deepening in America. The outbreak of Covid pandemic has only worsened the situation, so much so that even American military forces are finding it hard to secure food for their families.

According to a report by news agency AP, as many as 160,000 active-duty military members are having trouble feeding their families.

The report has quoted data from a United States-based nonprofit organisation, Feeding America, which runs over 200 food banks and feeds more than 46 million people across the country.

The revelation came when the NGO was compiling data to examine how long-term food insecurity has extended into every aspect of American life, including the military.

According to Department of Agriculture, US, over 89 per cent of US households were food secure throughout the year in 2020.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bidens-effort-to-combat-hunger-marks-a-profound-change-375471">Biden's effort to combat hunger marks ‘a profound change’</a>

The remaining 10.5 per cent of households were food insecure at least some time during the year, including 3.9 percent (5.1 million households) that had very low food security.

While the government has no data of food insecurity among the military members, the NGO’s report is the first one to openly acknowledge the glaring crisis among the armed forces.

Activists say that food crisis had existed for years in the military ranks, primarily among junior-level enlisted service members with children.

The group estimates that 29 per cent of troops in the most junior enlisted ranks faced food insecurity during the previous year.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/124-mln-people-food-insecure-in-war-torn-syria-wfp-363463">12.4 mln people food insecure in war-torn Syria: WFP</a>

“It’s a shocking truth that’s known to many food banks across the United States. This should be the cause of deep embarrassment,” Vince Hall, Feeding America’s government relations officer, told AP.

A Naval officer acknowledged that he was relying on food assistance to ensure that his two daughters are fed.

“It is what it is," said James Bohannon, 34, a low-ranking Naval in San Diego.

"You know what you’re signing up for in the military,” he said, after emerging from a drive-thru food distribution organized by the local Armed Services YMCA branch. “But I’m not going to lie. It’s really tough.”

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/around-20-million-yemenis-food-insecure-due-to-ongoing-conflict-un-182515">Around 20 million Yemenis food insecure due to ongoing conflict: UN</a>

Meredith Knopp, CEO of a food bank in St. Louis and an Army veteran, said the problem cuts across all branches of the military. She recalls being a young officer in Texas when she was approached by a new private with a baby.

“They were getting ready to turn off his electricity because he couldn't pay his bills,” she said. “It was shocking to me.”

According to experts there are several reasons why the military members are finding hard to afford food.

Modest pay, for instance, of junior enlisted ranks is the primary source of food crisis, the experts say. Apart from that, internal military culture of self-sufficiency leaves many reluctant to speak about their difficulties, for fear they will be regarded as irresponsible.

(With inputs from agencies)

Food crisis is deepening in America. The outbreak of Covid pandemic has only worsened the situation, so much so that even American military forces are finding it hard to secure food for their families.

Food crisis is deepening in America. The outbreak of Covid pandemic has only worsened the situation, so much so that even American military forces are finding it hard to secure food for their families. According to a report by news agency AP, as many as 160,000 active-duty military members are having trouble feeding their families. The report has quoted data from a United States-based nonprofit organisation, Feeding America, which runs over 200 food banks and feeds more than 46 million people across the country. The revelation came when the NGO was compiling data to examine how long-term food insecurity has extended into every aspect of American life, including the military. According to Department of Agriculture, US, over 89 per cent of US households were food secure throughout the year in 2020. Also read | Biden's effort to combat hunger marks ‘a profound change’ The remaining 10.5 per cent of households were food insecure at least some time during the year, including 3.9 percent (5.1 million households) that had very low food security. While the government has no data of food insecurity among the military members, the NGO’s report is the first one to openly acknowledge the glaring crisis among the armed forces. Activists say that food crisis had existed for years in the military ranks, primarily among junior-level enlisted service members with children. The group estimates that 29 per cent of troops in the most junior enlisted ranks faced food insecurity during the previous year. Also read | 12.4 mln people food insecure in war-torn Syria: WFP “It’s a shocking truth that’s known to many food banks across the United States. This should be the cause of deep embarrassment,” Vince Hall, Feeding America’s government relations officer, told AP. A Naval officer acknowledged that he was relying on food assistance to ensure that his two daughters are fed. “It is what it is," said James Bohannon, 34, a low-ranking Naval in San Diego. "You know what you’re signing up for in the military,” he said, after emerging from a drive-thru food distribution organized by the local Armed Services YMCA branch. “But I’m not going to lie. It’s really tough.” Also read | Around 20 million Yemenis food insecure due to ongoing conflict: UN Meredith Knopp, CEO of a food bank in St. Louis and an Army veteran, said the problem cuts across all branches of the military. She recalls being a young officer in Texas when she was approached by a new private with a baby. “They were getting ready to turn off his electricity because he couldn't pay his bills,” she said. “It was shocking to me.” According to experts there are several reasons why the military members are finding hard to afford food. Modest pay, for instance, of junior enlisted ranks is the primary source of food crisis, the experts say. Apart from that, internal military culture of self-sufficiency leaves many reluctant to speak about their difficulties, for fear they will be regarded as irresponsible. (With inputs from agencies)

Thousands of low-ranking military officers in US facing food insecurity: Report

Long serpentine queues, people jostling and fighting at the supermarkets to stock essential food items: These are the scenes of panic buying that is being witnessed across China—which is bracing for a fresh surge of COVID-19 outbreak and a long winter season.

Army biscuits and luncheon meals are becoming the most searched items online. Rice, soya sauce, chilli sauce are trending in Alibaba’s e-commerce website, even as vendors are running out of stock. According to reports, the top search on the internet in China reads household stockpile list.

It all started with a notice from China’s Ministry of Commerce on November 1, directing local governments to encourage people to stockpile “daily necessities”, including vegetables, oils and poultry, in order to “meet the needs of daily life and emergencies.”

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【中国各地民众响应政府号召抢购物资】 
中国商务部周初一纸通知原本恐吓台湾要“武统”，结果引发该国民众疯抢商品。有家庭甚至储备发电机。 
 
网上视频<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E5%8F%B0%E6%B5%B7%E5%8D%B1%E6%9C%BA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#台海危机</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%E6%90%AC%E7%9F%B3%E5%A4%B4%E7%A0%B8%E8%87%AA%E5%B7%B1%E8%84%9A?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#搬石头砸自己脚</a> <a href="https://t.co/TZu3AYpExy">pic.twitter.com/TZu3AYpExy</a>
— 自由亚洲电台 (@RFA_Chinese) <a href="https://twitter.com/RFA_Chinese/status/1456095437509644298?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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China is encouraging people to stockpile food which has resulted in mass panic buying. Many items are sold out and people are fighting over bags of food. It's unclear the real reason the Chinese government is encouraging this behavior. <a href="https://t.co/gzdiBfzFYc">pic.twitter.com/gzdiBfzFYc</a>
— 974Rebelion✊ (@JohnWick97440) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnWick97440/status/1457379106933383177?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Anyone else seeing similar images coming out of China? Apparently people are panic buying? <a href="https://t.co/zhG6RLgpbM">pic.twitter.com/zhG6RLgpbM</a>
— shaquille o'atmeal (@crypt0e) <a href="https://twitter.com/crypt0e/status/1456476067317776392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The order triggered a heated debate online, with some users speculating that the call to stockpile food was related to the possible outbreak of war with Taiwan, while others are attributing to impending lockdown owing to the fresh Covid outbreak.

“The government didn't even tell us to stock goods when the Covid outbreak erupted in early 2020,” wrote one user on Weibo social networking site earlier this week.

One video posted on Weibo by the state-owned news magazine China News Weekly shows long lines of shoppers at grocery stores in Changzhou, a city in Jiangsu province. Their carts are stacked full of produce and other supplies, while shelves throughout the stores are empty.

Supermarkets in various cities around the country saw flour, rice and other food items flying off the shelves.

Watch

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-panic-buying-in-china-427068/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Ministry of Commerce responded by assuring people there was no imminent threat to the food supply, while the state-run&nbsp;Economic Daily&nbsp;newspaper tried to calm online speculation by saying that the intention of the notice was to make sure people were prepared for lockdowns or quarantine due to&nbsp;new coronavirus outbreaks.

China's instructions also pushed up domestic edible oil futures as well as Malaysian palm oil.

“It's going to be a cold winter, we want to make sure we have enough to eat,” Reuters quoted a woman outside a supermarket in central Beijing.

China's National Meteorological Centre is predicting a plunge in temperatures over the weekend in the northwest, southwest and most central and eastern regions.

Meanwhile, China continues to report rising number of Covid cases in several provinces. According to reports, hundreds of locally transmitted infections have been found in about two-thirds of its provinces.

(With inputs from agencies)

Long serpentine queues, people jostling and fighting at the supermarkets to stock essential food items: These are the scenes of panic buying that is being witnessed across China—which is bracing for a fresh surge of COVID-19 outbreak and a long winter season.

Long serpentine queues, people jostling and fighting at the supermarkets to stock essential food items: These are the scenes of panic buying that is being witnessed across China—which is bracing for a fresh surge of COVID-19 outbreak and a long winter season. Army biscuits and luncheon meals are becoming the most searched items online. Rice, soya sauce, chilli sauce are trending in Alibaba’s e-commerce website, even as vendors are running out of stock. According to reports, the top search on the internet in China reads household stockpile list. It all started with a notice from China’s Ministry of Commerce on November 1, directing local governments to encourage people to stockpile “daily necessities”, including vegetables, oils and poultry, in order to “meet the needs of daily life and emergencies.” 【中国各地民众响应政府号召抢购物资】 中国商务部周初一纸通知原本恐吓台湾要“武统”，结果引发该国民众疯抢商品。有家庭甚至储备发电机。 网上视频#台海危机#搬石头砸自己脚 pic.twitter.com/TZu3AYpExy — 自由亚洲电台 (@RFA_Chinese) November 4, 2021 × China is encouraging people to stockpile food which has resulted in mass panic buying. Many items are sold out and people are fighting over bags of food. It's unclear the real reason the Chinese government is encouraging this behavior. pic.twitter.com/gzdiBfzFYc — 974Rebelion✊ (@JohnWick97440) November 7, 2021 × Anyone else seeing similar images coming out of China? Apparently people are panic buying? pic.twitter.com/zhG6RLgpbM — shaquille o'atmeal (@crypt0e) November 5, 2021 × The order triggered a heated debate online, with some users speculating that the call to stockpile food was related to the possible outbreak of war with Taiwan, while others are attributing to impending lockdown owing to the fresh Covid outbreak. “The government didn't even tell us to stock goods when the Covid outbreak erupted in early 2020,” wrote one user on Weibo social networking site earlier this week. One video posted on Weibo by the state-owned news magazine China News Weekly shows long lines of shoppers at grocery stores in Changzhou, a city in Jiangsu province. Their carts are stacked full of produce and other supplies, while shelves throughout the stores are empty. Supermarkets in various cities around the country saw flour, rice and other food items flying off the shelves. Watch The Ministry of Commerce responded by assuring people there was no imminent threat to the food supply, while the state-run Economic Daily newspaper tried to calm online speculation by saying that the intention of the notice was to make sure people were prepared for lockdowns or quarantine due to new coronavirus outbreaks. China's instructions also pushed up domestic edible oil futures as well as Malaysian palm oil. “It's going to be a cold winter, we want to make sure we have enough to eat,” Reuters quoted a woman outside a supermarket in central Beijing. China's National Meteorological Centre is predicting a plunge in temperatures over the weekend in the northwest, southwest and most central and eastern regions. Meanwhile, China continues to report rising number of Covid cases in several provinces. According to reports, hundreds of locally transmitted infections have been found in about two-thirds of its provinces. (With inputs from agencies)

China's new directive on stockpiling food triggers hoarding, panic buying

The most vulnerable people of North Korea are at an increased risk of starvation as the economy of the country is rapidly declining, a UN expert has said.<o:p></o:p>

Kim Jong-un’s country has been facing a food crisis for the past few months. Even though the ruling government has tried to play it on undertones, the situation is getting worse with every passing day, experts have ruled.<o:p></o:p>

To protect itself from the deadly coronavirus from last year, North Korea has been imposing strict regulations in the country. Due to these, the economy and especially the trade of the country with key partner, China, have been facing a huge backlash.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/missing-kim-jong-un-was-not-ill-but-he-was-busy-developing-north-korea-logos-report-420364">Missing Kim Jong Un was not ill, but he was busy developing North Korea logos: Report</a></o:p>

In June, the state-run KCTV had admitted that North Korea was facing a ‘food crisis’ as the agricultural sector was finding it increasingly hard to fulfil food demands of the nation. During the same time period, the North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un, too, declared that the food situation in the country was "getting tense".<o:p></o:p>

Now, Tomas Ojea Quintana, UN special rapporteur on human rights has reported that the locals and ordinary citizens of North Korea are "struggling on a daily basis... to live a life of dignity" and this shortage of food could soon turn into a humanitarian crisis.

<o:p>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-jong-un-blames-us-for-regional-tensions-defends-weapons-buildup-420039">North Korea's Kim Jong Un blames US for regional tensions, defends weapons buildup</a></o:p>

North Korea has multiple sets of international sanctions due to its activities related to nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. These increasing sanctions, restrictions and Covid-related regulations are all contributing to an increased chance of ordinary people starving to death.<o:p></o:p>

"The most vulnerable children and elderly are at risk of starvation," he said. "Sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council should be reviewed and eased when necessary to both facilitate humanitarian and lifesaving assistance."<o:p></o:p>

Quintana has urged leaders and aid organisations to relax some of the sanctions and restrictions to make sure the ordinary people do not pay for the actions of their leaders.<o:p></o:p>

The most vulnerable people of North Korea are at an increased risk of starvation as the economy of the country is rapidly declining, a UN expert has said. Kim Jong-un’s country has been facing a food crisis for the past few months.

The most vulnerable people of North Korea are at an increased risk of starvation as the economy of the country is rapidly declining, a UN expert has said. Kim Jong-un’s country has been facing a food crisis for the past few months. Even though the ruling government has tried to play it on undertones, the situation is getting worse with every passing day, experts have ruled. To protect itself from the deadly coronavirus from last year, North Korea has been imposing strict regulations in the country. Due to these, the economy and especially the trade of the country with key partner, China, have been facing a huge backlash. Also read | Missing Kim Jong Un was not ill, but he was busy developing North Korea logos: Report In June, the state-run KCTV had admitted that North Korea was facing a ‘food crisis’ as the agricultural sector was finding it increasingly hard to fulfil food demands of the nation. During the same time period, the North Korean ruler Kim Jong-un, too, declared that the food situation in the country was "getting tense". Now, Tomas Ojea Quintana, UN special rapporteur on human rights has reported that the locals and ordinary citizens of North Korea are "struggling on a daily basis... to live a life of dignity" and this shortage of food could soon turn into a humanitarian crisis. Also read | North Korea's Kim Jong Un blames US for regional tensions, defends weapons buildup North Korea has multiple sets of international sanctions due to its activities related to nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. These increasing sanctions, restrictions and Covid-related regulations are all contributing to an increased chance of ordinary people starving to death. "The most vulnerable children and elderly are at risk of starvation," he said. "Sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council should be reviewed and eased when necessary to both facilitate humanitarian and lifesaving assistance." Quintana has urged leaders and aid organisations to relax some of the sanctions and restrictions to make sure the ordinary people do not pay for the actions of their leaders.

Kim Jong Un's North Korea may soon face 'starvation risk': UN

According to reports, Kabul is reportedly facing a winter blackout due upaid dues to the Central Asian electricity suppliers even as the Taliban considates its&nbsp;hold over Afghanistan.

Afghanistan reportedly imports most of its electricity from its neighbours namely Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. According to the Wall Street Journal, this year domestic production has been hit due to drought conditions in the country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-faces-a-series-of-severe-challenges-says-chinese-think-tank-418134">Also Read: Taliban faces a series of severe challenges, says Chinese think-tank</a>

The WSJ in its report said the chief of Afghanistan's power authority has warned that the&nbsp;situation could turn out to be a humanitarian disaster.

The World Bank had suspended aid to Afghanistan after the Taliban came to power in August with the&nbsp;International Monetary Fund(IMF) also clamping down on funds.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-set-to-deploy-suicide-bombers-along-afghanistan-border-report-417875">Also Read:&nbsp;Taliban set to deploy suicide bombers along Afghanistan border</a>

The country is already facing a crisis as the UN warned children under the age of five need treatment against life-threatening diseases and malnutrition.

The US had allowed exemptions to sanctions allowing crucial aid to the country last month allowing aid groups and international organizations to engage in order to meet the basic needs of Afghans.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/us-will-have-to-recognise-taliban-regime-sooner-or-later-says-pakistan-pm-imran-khan-417746">Also Read:&nbsp;US will have to recognise Taliban sooner or later, says PM Imran Khan</a>

The country has already been hit by fuel crisis and mounting food prices. Thousands of Afghans had lined up outside ATMs in an attempt to get cash after the Taliban took control in August as cash was in short supply even as the Taliban has struggled to pay government employees.

The US has reportedly blocked $9 billion in Afghan reserves held overseas resulting in a cash crush in the country even as the new&nbsp; Taliban government looks to restart services in the country.

(With inputs from Agencies)

&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

According to reports, Kabul is reportedly facing a winter blackout due upaid dues to the Central Asian electricity suppliers even as the Taliban considates its hold over Afghanistan.

According to reports, Kabul is reportedly facing a winter blackout due upaid dues to the Central Asian electricity suppliers even as the Taliban considates its hold over Afghanistan. Afghanistan reportedly imports most of its electricity from its neighbours namely Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. According to the Wall Street Journal, this year domestic production has been hit due to drought conditions in the country. Also Read: Taliban faces a series of severe challenges, says Chinese think-tank The WSJ in its report said the chief of Afghanistan's power authority has warned that the situation could turn out to be a humanitarian disaster. The World Bank had suspended aid to Afghanistan after the Taliban came to power in August with the International Monetary Fund(IMF) also clamping down on funds. Also Read: Taliban set to deploy suicide bombers along Afghanistan border The country is already facing a crisis as the UN warned children under the age of five need treatment against life-threatening diseases and malnutrition. The US had allowed exemptions to sanctions allowing crucial aid to the country last month allowing aid groups and international organizations to engage in order to meet the basic needs of Afghans. Also Read: US will have to recognise Taliban sooner or later, says PM Imran Khan The country has already been hit by fuel crisis and mounting food prices. Thousands of Afghans had lined up outside ATMs in an attempt to get cash after the Taliban took control in August as cash was in short supply even as the Taliban has struggled to pay government employees. The US has reportedly blocked $9 billion in Afghan reserves held overseas resulting in a cash crush in the country even as the new Taliban government looks to restart services in the country. (With inputs from Agencies)

Kabul faces winter blackout as Taliban unable to pay electricity suppliers: Report

Sri Lanka is currently facing a financial emergency. The island country is running out of food and basic supplies, the currency is plunging and forex reserves are depleting. WION brings you a report.

Massive spike in food prices in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is in the grip of an economic crisis triggered by the COVID pandemic that has led to shortages of food and medicine in the country.

Sri Lanka: COVID-19 pandemic & plunging economy leads to food crisis

Sri Lanka's foreign reserves have tumbled to $2.8 billion. The government does not have money to import food for its people. How will the cash-strapped nation settle its $3 billion loan? Is more borrowing the only option? Palki Sharma tells you.

Gravitas: Food crisis in Sri Lanka as Chinese debt mounts

Lebanon has been struggling to survive in the ongoing economic crisis and a study has revealed that a typical family is now spending five times the minimum wage on food alone.

Inflation in the country has been described as one of the worst financial crisis since the 1850s. It has also caused more than half of the country below the poverty line.

Now, the study has revealed that while a family is typically having to spend five times the minimum wage on food, this does not include other necessities such as the additional cost of water, electricity, and cooking gas.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-few-days-away-from-social-explosion-pm-diab-396317" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-few-days-away-from-social-explosion-pm-diab-396317&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjq_OjDovTxAhW_zDgGHSTBCwwQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1stZzhRivQJT1uW_di6qPD" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lebanon-few-days-away-from-social-explosion-pm-diab-396317" target="_blank">Lebanon&nbsp;few days away from social explosion: PM Diab</a>

As per data, a family of five was now spending nearly 3.5 million Lebanese pounds on food alone in a month. This has pushed several people below the poverty line as the minimum wage of the country is 675,000 Lebanese pounds.

The minimum wage of Lebanon was, at one point, equivalent to $450. However, now it struggles to fetch $30 on the black market.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/diapers-and-rags-lebanon-crisis-plunges-women-into-period-poverty-395140">Diapers and rags: Lebanon crisis plunges women into period poverty</a>

While the value of the Lebanese pound decreased in front of the dollar, the food prices have soared by nearly 700 per cent in the past two years and the prices have seen a surge in the recent weeks, the Observatory reported.

"The price of a basic food basket increased by more than 50 percent in less than a month," it said.

Experts have labelled this as a very alarming trend in the country. "We're witnessing now an exponential increase in a short period of time," said Nasser Yassin, the head of the Observatory.

Lebanon has been struggling to survive in the ongoing economic crisis and a study has revealed that a typical family is now spending five times the minimum wage on food alone.

Lebanon has been struggling to survive in the ongoing economic crisis and a study has revealed that a typical family is now spending five times the minimum wage on food alone. Inflation in the country has been described as one of the worst financial crisis since the 1850s. It has also caused more than half of the country below the poverty line. Now, the study has revealed that while a family is typically having to spend five times the minimum wage on food, this does not include other necessities such as the additional cost of water, electricity, and cooking gas. Also read | Lebanon few days away from social explosion: PM Diab As per data, a family of five was now spending nearly 3.5 million Lebanese pounds on food alone in a month. This has pushed several people below the poverty line as the minimum wage of the country is 675,000 Lebanese pounds. The minimum wage of Lebanon was, at one point, equivalent to $450. However, now it struggles to fetch $30 on the black market. Also read | Diapers and rags: Lebanon crisis plunges women into period poverty While the value of the Lebanese pound decreased in front of the dollar, the food prices have soared by nearly 700 per cent in the past two years and the prices have seen a surge in the recent weeks, the Observatory reported. "The price of a basic food basket increased by more than 50 percent in less than a month," it said. Experts have labelled this as a very alarming trend in the country. "We're witnessing now an exponential increase in a short period of time," said Nasser Yassin, the head of the Observatory.

Lebanon families spending five times minimum wage on food alone: Study

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

An Israeli company has made the question redundant by achieving something remarkable. 'SuperMeat' has grown chicken in a laboratory, and they now plan to expand the process to a 'commercial scale'.&nbsp;

SuperMeat is holding test meals for customers in a small restaurant in the Israeli town of Ness Ziona, the restaurant is aptly called the 'Chicken'. Diners here can devour the laboratory-grown chicken, produced without using genetic engineering or antibiotics.&nbsp;

Can it be considered 'vegetarian' since the meat is grown in a lab? That remains disputed; however, the process is cruelty-free and doesn't require any slaughtering of animals. People who left eating meat because of moral reasons are now flocking to the 'Chicken'. "One of the reasons that I became vegetarian originally was because it's not ethical, it's not sustainable. To get meat minus the cruelty is just amazing, it's perfect, I could eat this every single day,"&nbsp;says Annabelle Silver who tried out SuperMeat's 'cultured chicken'.

SuperMeat is not the first company to master the process. Last year, a Singaporean company became the first to produce 'lab grown chicken'. However, SuperMeat aims to be at the forefront of&nbsp;'food revolution' and help combat global hunger. "Meat demand is supposed to double itself over the next couple of decades, and we are going to need more technologies, more infrastructure to produce more and more meat. Additionally, this is a very sustainable production process, as you can see this is a very small area, and we're able to produce hundreds of kilogrammes on a weekly basis here. This way we'll be able to reduce the amount of land, water use and so many other resources," says Ido Savir, the CEO of SuperMeat. The company is now hopeful of earning regulatory approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The process involves cultivating cells taken from a fertilised chicken egg. Cell cultures are fed a plant-based liquid including proteins, fats, sugars, minerals and vitamins. With all the feed going directly into production, it grows rapidly, with the mass doubling within a matter of hours, the company says.

SuperMeat is the latest company to try and answer another key question of our time: can tech and innovation be used to combat the global food crisis?&nbsp;

Global meat production is projected to rise 15 per cent by 2027, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. This comes at a time when the global hunger crisis is also compounding. COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, impact on supply chains, global conflicts and extreme weather events have contributed to accelerating the global hunger crisis in 2020 and the catastrophe is expected to worsen this year.&nbsp;

According to the World Food Programme, "the global goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030 seemed increasingly out of reach. This follows another annual rise in the numbers of acutely food-insecure people in need of urgent food, nutrition and livelihood assistance."

World Food Programme reveals, "at least 155 million people in 55 countries/territories were in crisis or worse in 2020, an increase of around 20 million people from 2019". Around 28 million people globally were in a state of food emergency or worse and required urgent action to save lives and livelihoods.&nbsp;

Three of the four worst-affected&nbsp;countries are in conflict-hit West Asia:

<ul>
	<li>13.5 million&nbsp;people or 45 per cent&nbsp;of Yemen's population faced food crisis in 2020.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>13.2 million people or 42&nbsp;per cent of Afghanistan's population faced food consumption gaps.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>12.4 million&nbsp;people or 60&nbsp;per cent of Syria's population faced food crisis with an acute risk of malnutrition.</li>
</ul>

The biggest global food crisis, however, is in the African nation of Congo, where 21.8 million people face a food emergency. The armed insurgency has also forced millions of people to flee their homes. &nbsp;

The global food crisis is accelerating in almost every region of our planet. Inflation, accessibility, migration and conflicts will only worsen the crisis. In such a situation, it is imperative that countries and companies invest time and energy into new technologies that can make food production and distribution more accessible and economical.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

What came first, the chicken or the egg? An Israeli company has made the question redundant by achieving something remarkable. 'SuperMeat' has grown chicken in a laboratory, and they now plan to expand the process to a 'commercial scale'.

What came first, the chicken or the egg? An Israeli company has made the question redundant by achieving something remarkable. 'SuperMeat' has grown chicken in a laboratory, and they now plan to expand the process to a 'commercial scale'. SuperMeat is holding test meals for customers in a small restaurant in the Israeli town of Ness Ziona, the restaurant is aptly called the 'Chicken'. Diners here can devour the laboratory-grown chicken, produced without using genetic engineering or antibiotics. Can it be considered 'vegetarian' since the meat is grown in a lab? That remains disputed; however, the process is cruelty-free and doesn't require any slaughtering of animals. People who left eating meat because of moral reasons are now flocking to the 'Chicken'. "One of the reasons that I became vegetarian originally was because it's not ethical, it's not sustainable. To get meat minus the cruelty is just amazing, it's perfect, I could eat this every single day," says Annabelle Silver who tried out SuperMeat's 'cultured chicken'. SuperMeat is not the first company to master the process. Last year, a Singaporean company became the first to produce 'lab grown chicken'. However, SuperMeat aims to be at the forefront of 'food revolution' and help combat global hunger. "Meat demand is supposed to double itself over the next couple of decades, and we are going to need more technologies, more infrastructure to produce more and more meat. Additionally, this is a very sustainable production process, as you can see this is a very small area, and we're able to produce hundreds of kilogrammes on a weekly basis here. This way we'll be able to reduce the amount of land, water use and so many other resources," says Ido Savir, the CEO of SuperMeat. The company is now hopeful of earning regulatory approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The process involves cultivating cells taken from a fertilised chicken egg. Cell cultures are fed a plant-based liquid including proteins, fats, sugars, minerals and vitamins. With all the feed going directly into production, it grows rapidly, with the mass doubling within a matter of hours, the company says. SuperMeat is the latest company to try and answer another key question of our time: can tech and innovation be used to combat the global food crisis? Global meat production is projected to rise 15 per cent by 2027, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. This comes at a time when the global hunger crisis is also compounding. COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, impact on supply chains, global conflicts and extreme weather events have contributed to accelerating the global hunger crisis in 2020 and the catastrophe is expected to worsen this year. According to the World Food Programme, "the global goal of achieving zero hunger by 2030 seemed increasingly out of reach. This follows another annual rise in the numbers of acutely food-insecure people in need of urgent food, nutrition and livelihood assistance." World Food Programme reveals, "at least 155 million people in 55 countries/territories were in crisis or worse in 2020, an increase of around 20 million people from 2019". Around 28 million people globally were in a state of food emergency or worse and required urgent action to save lives and livelihoods. Three of the four worst-affected countries are in conflict-hit West Asia: 13.5 million people or 45 per cent of Yemen's population faced food crisis in 2020. 13.2 million people or 42 per cent of Afghanistan's population faced food consumption gaps. 12.4 million people or 60 per cent of Syria's population faced food crisis with an acute risk of malnutrition. The biggest global food crisis, however, is in the African nation of Congo, where 21.8 million people face a food emergency. The armed insurgency has also forced millions of people to flee their homes. The global food crisis is accelerating in almost every region of our planet. Inflation, accessibility, migration and conflicts will only worsen the crisis. In such a situation, it is imperative that countries and companies invest time and energy into new technologies that can make food production and distribution more accessible and economical. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Why countries must invest in tech and innovation to combat global food crisis

The economic cost of the global pandemic as well as conflict and climate change are fueling food security fears that in 2020 reached their highest level in five years, according to a report published Wednesday.

Last year, 155 million people in 55 countries faced acute food shortages -- 20 million more than in 2019, according to a report by the EU, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme, which see the problem as getting steadily worse.

"We must act together to prevent an additional deterioration of the situation," FAO director general Qu Dongyu told a video-conference, describing the New Global Report on Food Crises as a call to "urgent humanitarian action".&nbsp;

He added in a tweet: "We must address the root causes and make agri-food systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable."

Last year saw the Global Network Against Food Crises, which groups together the three international organisations, identify 28 million people in 28 countries as suffering emergency levels of acute hunger with DR Congo, Yemen and Afghanistan worst affected.

A further 133,000 people were judged to be living in the most severe, "catastrophic" phase of food insecurity in Burkina Faso, South Sudan and Yemen.

Africa remains the continent worst hit by food shortages with 98 million people affected, or 63 percent of global cases -- up from 54 percent in 2019.

"For 100 million people confronted by acute food crisis in 2020, the main cause was linked to conflicts and insecurity," compared with 77 million in 2019, Dominique Burgeon, FAO emergencies director, told AFP.

Economic crisis was the prime reason for hunger for 40 million, compared with 24 million in 2019.

Burgeon said that "the pandemic has exacerbated vulnerabilities," singling out Sudan, Zimbabwe and Haiti -- the latter also hit by climate issues affecting the food security of some 15 million people.

With Covid restrictions still in place across much of the world, Burgeon said the coming year would be very difficult, exacerbating food security in already fragile economies.

He estimated at 142 million the number of people who would be affected in 40 of the worst-hit countries.

And with the global population on its way to hitting 8.5 billion by 2030, the report concluded that Covid-19 had underlined the need to make food distribution more equitable as the number of mouths to feed grows.

The economic cost of the global pandemic as well as conflict and climate change are fueling food security fears that in 2020 reached their highest level in five years, according to a report published Wednesday.

The economic cost of the global pandemic as well as conflict and climate change are fueling food security fears that in 2020 reached their highest level in five years, according to a report published Wednesday. Last year, 155 million people in 55 countries faced acute food shortages -- 20 million more than in 2019, according to a report by the EU, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme, which see the problem as getting steadily worse. "We must act together to prevent an additional deterioration of the situation," FAO director general Qu Dongyu told a video-conference, describing the New Global Report on Food Crises as a call to "urgent humanitarian action". He added in a tweet: "We must address the root causes and make agri-food systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable." Last year saw the Global Network Against Food Crises, which groups together the three international organisations, identify 28 million people in 28 countries as suffering emergency levels of acute hunger with DR Congo, Yemen and Afghanistan worst affected. A further 133,000 people were judged to be living in the most severe, "catastrophic" phase of food insecurity in Burkina Faso, South Sudan and Yemen. Africa remains the continent worst hit by food shortages with 98 million people affected, or 63 percent of global cases -- up from 54 percent in 2019. "For 100 million people confronted by acute food crisis in 2020, the main cause was linked to conflicts and insecurity," compared with 77 million in 2019, Dominique Burgeon, FAO emergencies director, told AFP. Economic crisis was the prime reason for hunger for 40 million, compared with 24 million in 2019. Burgeon said that "the pandemic has exacerbated vulnerabilities," singling out Sudan, Zimbabwe and Haiti -- the latter also hit by climate issues affecting the food security of some 15 million people. With Covid restrictions still in place across much of the world, Burgeon said the coming year would be very difficult, exacerbating food security in already fragile economies. He estimated at 142 million the number of people who would be affected in 40 of the worst-hit countries. And with the global population on its way to hitting 8.5 billion by 2030, the report concluded that Covid-19 had underlined the need to make food distribution more equitable as the number of mouths to feed grows.

Pandemic, war, climate change fuel fears of global hunger, food scarcity

Food insecurity is rising sharply in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;in the wake of the military coup and deepening financial&nbsp;crisis&nbsp;with&nbsp;millions&nbsp;more people expected to go hungry in coming months, the United Nations said on Thursday.

Up to 3.4 million more people will struggle to afford food in the next three to six months with urban areas worst affected as job losses mount in manufacturing, construction and services and food prices rise, a World Food Programme (WFP) analysis shows.

"More and more poor people have lost their jobs and are unable to afford food," country director Stephen Anderson said in a statement.

"A concerted response is required now to alleviate immediate suffering, and to prevent an alarming deterioration in food security."

The WFP said market prices of rice and cooking oil had risen by 5 per cent and 18 per cent respectively since the end of February, with signs that families in the commercial capital of Yangon were skipping meals, eating less nutritious food, and going into debt.

The agency plans to expand operations, tripling to 3.3 million the number of people it assists, and is appealing for $106 million, it said.

A&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;junta spokesman did not immediately answer phone calls to seek comment.

Myanmar’s army seized power from the democratically elected civilian government on Feb.1, plunging the Southeast Asian nation into turmoil and cracking down on mass protests and a nationwide civil disobedience movement with brutal force, killing more than 700 people, a monitoring group said.

The&nbsp;crisis&nbsp;has brought the banking system to a standstill, shuttering many branches, leaving businesses unable to make payments and customers unable to withdraw cash.

Many people depend on remittances from relatives abroad. Most imports and exports have been halted and factories have closed.

The World Bank forecasts&nbsp;Myanmar's GDP to contract 10&nbsp;per cent in 2021, a reversal of previously positive trends.

Before the coup, the WFP said about 2.8 million in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;were considered food insecure.

The coronavirus pandemic took a heavy toll of the economy, which had been growing as it emerged from decades of isolation and financial mismanagement under former military governments.

Food insecurity is rising sharply in Myanmar in the wake of the military coup and deepening financial crisis with millions more people expected to go hungry in coming months, the United Nations said on Thursday.

Food insecurity is rising sharply in Myanmar in the wake of the military coup and deepening financial crisis with millions more people expected to go hungry in coming months, the United Nations said on Thursday. Up to 3.4 million more people will struggle to afford food in the next three to six months with urban areas worst affected as job losses mount in manufacturing, construction and services and food prices rise, a World Food Programme (WFP) analysis shows. "More and more poor people have lost their jobs and are unable to afford food," country director Stephen Anderson said in a statement. "A concerted response is required now to alleviate immediate suffering, and to prevent an alarming deterioration in food security." The WFP said market prices of rice and cooking oil had risen by 5 per cent and 18 per cent respectively since the end of February, with signs that families in the commercial capital of Yangon were skipping meals, eating less nutritious food, and going into debt. The agency plans to expand operations, tripling to 3.3 million the number of people it assists, and is appealing for $106 million, it said. A Myanmar junta spokesman did not immediately answer phone calls to seek comment. Myanmar’s army seized power from the democratically elected civilian government on Feb.1, plunging the Southeast Asian nation into turmoil and cracking down on mass protests and a nationwide civil disobedience movement with brutal force, killing more than 700 people, a monitoring group said. The crisis has brought the banking system to a standstill, shuttering many branches, leaving businesses unable to make payments and customers unable to withdraw cash. Many people depend on remittances from relatives abroad. Most imports and exports have been halted and factories have closed. The World Bank forecasts Myanmar's GDP to contract 10 per cent in 2021, a reversal of previously positive trends. Before the coup, the WFP said about 2.8 million in Myanmar were considered food insecure. The coronavirus pandemic took a heavy toll of the economy, which had been growing as it emerged from decades of isolation and financial mismanagement under former military governments.

Millions face hunger as Myanmar crisis worsens, says United Nations

The triple threat of conflict, climate change and COVID-19 is driving the crises in nearly all Emergency Watchlist countries, threatening famine in several in 2021.

These countries face the biggest humanitarian crisis in year 2021

Rapid population growth, lack of access to food and water, and increased exposure to natural disasters mean more than 1 billion people face being displaced by 2050

1 Billion people will have to forcefully migrate: New report predicts humanitarian crisis

A UN agency on Sunday said that over a half of Lebanon's population risk facing a food crisis in the aftermath of Beirut port blast. Also read: Beirut port blast death toll rises to 190 "More than half of the country's population is at risk of failing to access their basic food needs by the year's end," the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said.

A UN agency on Sunday said that over a half of Lebanon's population risk facing a food crisis in the aftermath of Beirut port blast. Also read: Beirut port blast death toll rises to 190 "More than half of the country's population is at risk of failing to access their basic food needs by the year's end," the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) said. Also read: French President Macron warns of new civil war in Lebanon "Immediate measures should be taken to prevent a food crisis," ESCWA executive secretary Rola Dashti said. According to her, the Lebanese government must prioritise the rebuilding of silos at the Beirut port, the country's largest grain storage. Lebanon was already going through an economic collapse before the massive blast at Beirut's port that killed 190 people and wounded thousands. The country is facing problems like debt, the local currency has plummeted in value on the black market and soaring poverty rates with a spike in coronavirus cases. "The yearly average inflation rate is expected to be more than 50 percent in 2020, compared with 2.9 percent in 2019," ESCWA said in a statement. As per the aid agencies and experts, Lebanon relies on imports for 85 per cent of its food needs and the annihilation of the silos at the Beirut port could worsen an already alarming situation. ESCWA said increased transaction costs of food imports could lead to a further rise in prices. Rola Dashti added that to prevent a crisis, authorities must set a ceiling for food prices and encourage direct sales from local producers to consumers. She also urged the international community to "expand food security programmes targeting refugees and host communities" to help defuse "potential social tensions". Earlier this month, ESCWA said more than 55 per cent of the Lebanese are "trapped in poverty and struggling for bare necessities". (Inputs from AFP)

Half of Lebanon's population could face food crisis after Beirut port blast: UN

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