Ukraine’s Food Security: FAO warns of far-reaching global consequences

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) says it is deeply concerned about the food security situation in Ukraine and has warned of potential far-reaching global consequences.

The war has resulted in a massive & deteriorating food security situation in Ukraine, with potential far-reaching detrimental impacts globally.
@FAO Note on the impact of the war on food security in Ukraine https://t.co/Q4cQDCsJQN pic.twitter.com/lBVaEiqTjg
— FAO (@FAO) April 4, 2022

According to the FAO, the war that began on 24 February 2022 has caused extensive damage and loss of life in key population centres, spread across rural areas, and sparked massive displacement.

“It is clear that the war has resulted in a massive and deteriorating food security challenge.

“It has already significantly disrupted livelihoods during the agricultural growing season, through physical access constraints and damage to homes, productive assets, agricultural land, roads, and other civilian infrastructure.

It is uncertain whether Ukraine will be able to harvest existing crops, plant new ones or sustain livestock production as the conflict evolves,” said the FAO.

The FAO noted that as insecurity persists, and both local and national supply chains are disrupted, people are likely to fall deeper into emergency levels of hunger and malnutrition.

The FAO noted that the immediate food security dimension of the conflict is related to food access and not food availability.

It, therefore, advised that agricultural production must be allowed to resume immediately and safely to avoid further potential impact on food security in Ukraine – and beyond – in the coming days, weeks and months.

Amaka E. Nliam/ FAO