The New York Times has warned that the ongoing global food crisis has become one of the far-reaching consequences of the Russian war on Ukraine, contributing to widespread famine, poverty and premature deaths.

She said the United States and its allies are striving to minimize the damage caused by that war, as American officials are coordinating efforts to help Ukrainian farmers get food out of their country via rail, road links to eastern Europe, and other available avenues.

But with the advent of a harsh winter, and the brunt of Russian attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure, the crisis is only getting worse.

Drought in the Horn of Africa and unusually bad weather in other parts of the world have already exacerbated food shortages.

The United Nations World Food Program estimates that more than 345 million people suffer from or are at risk of acute food insecurity, more than double the number recorded in 2019.

And the "New York Times" stated in its report that food shortages and high prices are causing severe suffering throughout Africa, Asia and the Americas, and that US officials are particularly concerned about war-ravaged Afghanistan and Yemen, while Egypt, Lebanon and other large food-importing countries find it difficult to pay their debts and expenses. Others due to higher costs.

Even in rich countries such as the United States and Britain, rising inflation - partly due to the disruptions caused by the war - left the poor without food.

Samantha Power, Administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), blamed Russia for what was happening.

The newspaper quoted her in its report as saying that Putin's war on Ukraine, which is the world's food basket, is attacking the world's poor and increasing hunger in the world.

And US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced on December 20 that Washington would start granting comprehensive exemptions to economic sanctions programs around the world to ensure the continued flow of food and other aid.


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The New York Times says that the aim of this measure is to ensure that organizations do not withhold aid for fear of violating US sanctions.

However, Russia deliberately obstructing global food supplies poses a completely different dilemma, according to the newspaper.

Moscow imposed restrictions on its exports, which drove up costs elsewhere.

More importantly, it halted sales of fertilizers needed by the world's farmers.

Its attacks on Ukraine also had a significant impact, as Ukraine's exports of grain and oilseeds witnessed a sharp decline during the period from March to November, reaching an average of 3.5 million tons of grain and oilseeds per month, after it was previously exported 5 to 7 million tons per month, according to the American newspaper.

Russia continues to close 7 of the 13 ports used by Ukraine.

Ukraine has 18 ports, but 5 of them are in Crimea, which Russia seized in 2014. Besides the 3 ports on the Black Sea, 3 more on the Danube are still operating.

The New York Times correspondent in Istanbul reported that huge ships loaded with Ukrainian wheat and other grains are piled up along the Bosphorus Strait, waiting to be inspected before sailing to the world's ports.

He added that the number of ships sailing through this narrow strait, which links the Black Sea ports with international ports, decreased when Russia launched its war on Ukraine 10 months ago and imposed a naval blockade on it.