UN warns ‘hot’: Russia-Ukraine conflict could push 1.7 billion people into poverty and hunger

“We are now facing a perfect storm that threatens to devastate the economies of developing countries,” the United Nations Secretary-General said in a speech that included a spending policy brief. The first detail was released by the Global Food, Energy and Financial Crisis Response Team (GCRG).

Formed by the head of the United Nations on March 14, the GCRG is a group of 32 members, chaired by United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, whose members also include the head. other United Nations agencies, development banks and international organisations.

The UN report states that the GCRG was established “in response to concerns about the potential consequences of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, as well as the continuing effects of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

According to the United Nations, the Ukraine crisis threatens to plunge 1.7 billion people, more than one-fifth of humanity, into poverty, destitute and hunger.

Ukraine and the Russian Federation provide 30% of the world’s wheat and barley, a fifth of corn and more than half of sunflower oil, making their cereals a vital food source for vulnerable people. Before the conflict, more than a third of wheat was imported by 45 African countries, and the least developed countries were from Russia and Ukraine.

Mr. Guterres pointed out that while the whole world is focused on the impact of the war on Ukraine, the conflict is also affecting other countries around the world, pushing many people into poverty and causing instability. larger society.

Russia conducted a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24. Since then, millions of people have fled Ukraine to avoid conflict.

The United Nations is now calling for global cooperation to tackle the crisis, which it says “will leave deep and lasting scars”.