The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has in no doubt affected national economies, food supplies as well as global energy markets. One negative thing about war is the fact that it brings about food shortages and also disrupts economic activities. It was recently disclosed that the West African region is currently facing the worst food crisis which has seen the price of food skyrocket as well as a shortage of food availability, which is a result of the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on the region.
According to a report, it was disclosed that about 27 million people are suffering from hunger in the region, and it is estimated that the number could rise to 38 million by June, a 40% increase from last year and a historic high. Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations (FAO) disclosed that the prolongment of the war will In no doubt increase the number of malnourished people globally as a result of food shortage.
The surge in food prices is already leading to food security problems around the world, especially in West Africa. Already, the African continent has been suffering from climate change which has drastically reduced Agricultural production. An estimate of over 100 million people in Africa lives in extreme poverty, due to the adverse effect of climate change on their lives and livelihoods. Now the Russia-Ukraine war has intensified the suffering in Africa, most especially in the West African region as some countries have been pushed into famine.
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In times of warfare, every country is affected either developed, developing, or underdeveloped. One edge the developed nations have over the rest is that in times of war, they have strong economies that can sustain them from food crises and hunger. It is quite unfortunate that both Russia and Ukraine are two of the most important Agricultural commodity exporters in the world. In 2021, Ukraine ranked among the top three global exporters of wheat, maize, and rapeseed, while the Russian Federation also stood as the world’s top exporter of Nitrogen fertilizers.
It is a known fact that one of the basic needs of man is food, and once the supply of food or cultivation of crops is affected, then human existence is threatened. The prices of wheat have skyrocketed since the war began, and it was disclosed that wheat is a significant staple food in most countries with East Africa importing about 90% of its wheat from Russia and Ukraine. Also, six West African countries import 30-50% of their Wheat from Russia.
With no one having a clue about when the war between Russia and Ukraine will be over, there needs to be serious intervention to help the plight of those in regions severely affected by the war. Developed countries should swing into action to help solve the food crises that the war has brought upon such regions. They should see the need to extend helping hands to nations greatly affected, most especially nations in the West African region by supplying them with humanitarian materials as it will help to mitigate and reduce hunger as well as lower the proposed high death rate.
