The world will most likely face a ‘hunger catastrophe’ over the next two years as the Russia-Ukraine war drags out, the director of the UN World Food Programme, Patrick Beasley, has warned, according to The Guardian.

He said that the world is currently witnessing an acute shortage of food due to Russia blocking 25 tonnes of Ukrainian grain, adding that the current food affordability crisis would turn more serious next years if no short- and long-term reforms are made.

This warning comes as the number of people classified as “acutely food insecure” has increased to 276 million after Covid crisis from 130 million before.

“This number has increased to 345 million due to the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;crisis. And a staggering 50 million people in 45 countries are now just one step from famine,” Beasley said.

“The international community must act to stop this looming hunger catastrophe in its tracks – or these numbers will explode.

“Global food markets have been plunged into turmoil, with soaring prices, export bans and shortages of basic foodstuffs spreading far from Ukraine’s borders. Nations across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and even Latin America are feeling the heat from this conflict.”

Beasley said that global food security has worsened following volatility worldwide in fuel and&nbsp;fertiliser markets.

“Without urgent action, food production and crop yields will be slashed. This raises the frightening possibility that on top of today’s food-pricing crisis, the world will also face a genuine crisis of food availability over the next 12 to 24 months – and with it, the spectre of multiple famines.”

Food prices reached a 10-year high in 2022, although there has been a slight easing in the past two months. The crisis has been stoked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its&nbsp;Black Sea blockade&nbsp;preventing crucial grain exports.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The world will most likely face a ‘hunger catastrophe’ over the next two years as the Russia-Ukraine war drags out, the director of the UN World Food Programme, Patrick Beasley, has warned, according to The Guardian.

The world will most likely face a ‘hunger catastrophe’ over the next two years as the Russia-Ukraine war drags out, the director of the UN World Food Programme, Patrick Beasley, has warned, according to The Guardian. He said that the world is currently witnessing an acute shortage of food due to Russia blocking 25 tonnes of Ukrainian grain, adding that the current food affordability crisis would turn more serious next years if no short- and long-term reforms are made. This warning comes as the number of people classified as “acutely food insecure” has increased to 276 million after Covid crisis from 130 million before. “This number has increased to 345 million due to the Ukraine crisis. And a staggering 50 million people in 45 countries are now just one step from famine,” Beasley said. “The international community must act to stop this looming hunger catastrophe in its tracks – or these numbers will explode. “Global food markets have been plunged into turmoil, with soaring prices, export bans and shortages of basic foodstuffs spreading far from Ukraine’s borders. Nations across Africa, the Middle East, Asia and even Latin America are feeling the heat from this conflict.” Beasley said that global food security has worsened following volatility worldwide in fuel and fertiliser markets. “Without urgent action, food production and crop yields will be slashed. This raises the frightening possibility that on top of today’s food-pricing crisis, the world will also face a genuine crisis of food availability over the next 12 to 24 months – and with it, the spectre of multiple famines.” Food prices reached a 10-year high in 2022, although there has been a slight easing in the past two months. The crisis has been stoked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its Black Sea blockade preventing crucial grain exports. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘Hunger catastrophe’ in the offing due to Russian blockade of Ukrainian grains, warns UN

A report by the UN food agency has revealed that as&nbsp;acute hunger spikes around the world,&nbsp;around 45 million people are living on the edge of famine in 43 countries.

Earlier this year, the World&nbsp;Food Programme (WFP) had pegged this number at 42 million. However, a&nbsp;recent assessment of food security found another three million people facing famine in Afghanistan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/reports-of-famine-in-north-korea-as-bad-as-1990s-amid-mounting-food-insecurity-426894">Reports of famine in North Korea as bad as 1990s amid mounting food insecurity</a>

"Tens of millions of people are staring into an abyss. We've got conflict, climate change and COVID-19 driving up the numbers of the acutely hungry," WFP Executive Director David Beasley was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

After a visit to Afghanistan, where the World Food Program is increasing assistance to almost 23 million people, he said: "The latest data show there are now more than 45 million people marching towards the brink of starvation,".

"Fuel costs are up, food prices are soaring, fertiliser is more expensive, and all of this feeds into new crises like the one unfolding now in Afghanistan, as well as long-standing emergencies like Yemen and Syria," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ill-donate-6-billion-if-the-un-can-prove-how-it-will-solve-world-hunger-elon-musk-425761">I'll donate $6 billion if the UN can prove how it will solve world hunger: Elon Musk</a>

It is now estimated that to avert the famine worldwide, seven billion dollars are needed, up from the estimated 6.6 billion earlier in the year. However, the WFP warns that traditional funding streams are overstretched.

The food insecurity in some areas is causing parents to make devastating choices like marrying off their children early, pulling them out of school, or feeding them locusts, wild leaves, or cactus.

"Meanwhile media reports from Afghanistan point to families reportedly being forced to sell their children in a desperate attempt to survive," it said.

Watch |&nbsp;Afghanistan inches closer to famine as winters approach

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-inches-closer-to-famine-as-winters-approach-420848/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Several droughts in Afghanistan were compounding an economic meltdown, pushing families to the edge.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, 12.4 million Syrians have no idea where their next meal will come from. According to the report, this is the highest number in the Syrian conflict's decade-long history.

In addition, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, Angola, Kenya, and Burundi, have also witnessed an increase in acute hunger, reports the agency.

A report by the UN food agency has revealed that as acute hunger spikes around the world, around 45 million people are living on the edge of famine in 43 countries.

A report by the UN food agency has revealed that as acute hunger spikes around the world, around 45 million people are living on the edge of famine in 43 countries. Earlier this year, the World Food Programme (WFP) had pegged this number at 42 million. However, a recent assessment of food security found another three million people facing famine in Afghanistan. Also read | Reports of famine in North Korea as bad as 1990s amid mounting food insecurity "Tens of millions of people are staring into an abyss. We've got conflict, climate change and COVID-19 driving up the numbers of the acutely hungry," WFP Executive Director David Beasley was quoted as saying. After a visit to Afghanistan, where the World Food Program is increasing assistance to almost 23 million people, he said: "The latest data show there are now more than 45 million people marching towards the brink of starvation,". "Fuel costs are up, food prices are soaring, fertiliser is more expensive, and all of this feeds into new crises like the one unfolding now in Afghanistan, as well as long-standing emergencies like Yemen and Syria," he added. Also read | I'll donate $6 billion if the UN can prove how it will solve world hunger: Elon Musk It is now estimated that to avert the famine worldwide, seven billion dollars are needed, up from the estimated 6.6 billion earlier in the year. However, the WFP warns that traditional funding streams are overstretched. The food insecurity in some areas is causing parents to make devastating choices like marrying off their children early, pulling them out of school, or feeding them locusts, wild leaves, or cactus. "Meanwhile media reports from Afghanistan point to families reportedly being forced to sell their children in a desperate attempt to survive," it said. Watch | Afghanistan inches closer to famine as winters approach Several droughts in Afghanistan were compounding an economic meltdown, pushing families to the edge. Meanwhile, 12.4 million Syrians have no idea where their next meal will come from. According to the report, this is the highest number in the Syrian conflict's decade-long history. In addition, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, Angola, Kenya, and Burundi, have also witnessed an increase in acute hunger, reports the agency.

'Staring into an abyss': UN says 3 million in Afghanistan, 45 million worldwide knocking at famine's door

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‘Hunger catastrophe’ in the offing due to Russian blockade of Ukrainian grains, warns UN

'Staring into an abyss': UN says 3 million in Afghanistan, 45 million worldwide knocking at famine's door