Global inflation is also causing difficulties in international food assistance. In an interview with NHK, the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) revealed that rising prices have forced Yemen and Afghanistan to restrict the provision of food, and stressed that support not only from governments but also from companies and individuals is required more than ever.
Cindy McCain, who was appointed as the Executive Director of WFP this month, visited Japan on the sidelines of the G7 = Agriculture Ministers' Meeting of seven major countries, and gave an interview to NHK on the 7th.
Regarding the current situation surrounding food in the world, McCain stated, "There are no good signs, food insecurity continues due to grain and fertilizer shortages due to the situation in Ukraine," and expressed his recognition that there has been no improvement since last year, when the food crisis became serious due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"The prices of fuel, transportation, food and fertilizer, and other items for relief supplies are rising, and as a result, we are no longer able to provide them as we used to," he said, revealing that Yemen and Afghanistan have already been forced to restrict the provision of food.
According to WFP, the cost of procuring and transporting goods has increased by more than 24% compared to 2019 due to global inflation.
McCain said, "When school feeding services are affected, children's education and livelihoods are affected. There is no peace without food," he said, noting that food assistance is indispensable for stabilizing the political situation in developing countries, and that support from not only governments but also companies and individuals in developed countries is required more than ever.
According to WFP, more than 40 million people, more than double the number in 2020, will face severe food shortages, of which about 2,3 are at risk of close to famine.