Rosa Palumbo '25
Ukraine is continuing to receive weapons and gear from their international partners, including heavier tanks and more armored war-type vehicles to fight Russia this week.
However, what is getting lost in all the troops and chaos is the increase in global starvation this has caused.
By attacking and blockading Ukraine, Moscow is restricting one of the world's largest wheat producers. In addition to this, Russia is continuing to attack the country’s energy grid, which is disrupting the flow of food.
This war is worsening global starvation. It became one of the most far-reaching consequences of Russia’s war, which also contributed to widespread of poverty and death.
The United States and allies are wrestling to reduce the damage the war has had globally. American officials are partnering with Ukraine farmers to help get food out of their country through rail and road networks. These rail and road networks connect with Eastern Europe.
As we face the troubles of the winter season, Ukraine is facing some serious damage that Russia has caused them.
“Russia presses assaults on Ukraine’s infrastructure, the crisis is worsening. Food shortages are already being exacerbated by a drought in the Horn of Africa and unusually harsh weather in other parts of the world,” reports the New York Times.
Food shortages and high prices are causing intense pain all over Africa, and Asia. But the U.S is most specifically worried about Afghanistan and Yemen, which have been severely affected by this war.
Main food-importing nations such as Egypt and Lebanon are finding it very hard to pay debts and other expenses because prices have surged tremendously.
It’s not just food-importing nations who are having a difficult time paying debts and other expenses. Wealthy countries such as the U.S and Britain have also been affected. There is a soaring increase in inflation which has left poorer people without enough to eat.
Despite all of this, many possible solutions are being taken into consideration to help cure the damages or even that have been done to many countries and nations due to the war.
According to CNBC News, one of these solutions is to keep trade flowing and minimize disruptions to supply chains. It is very crucial to keep trade open for food, fuel, and fertilizer for containing the increase in food insecurity both within Ukraine globally.
This also includes safeguarding agriculture production and food supply chains more broadly including storage facilities and infrastructure to foodstuffs, especially grains out of the country.
The blockade of Ukrainian ports has to end to ensure food produced in Ukraine can get let out to the rest of the world.
We pray for those affected poorly by the war, and hope people donate food, clothes, etc. to those who need it.
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