While addressing the UN Food Systems Summit+2 Stocktaking Moment ((UNFSS+2) at the Food and Agriculture Organisation headquarters in Italy’s capital Rome, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina laid emphasis on coordinated steps to lift restrictions on food and fertiliser exports. She also placed a five-point proposal at the summit to ensure sustainable, safe and nutritious food system worldwide. Some 2,000 participants from over 160 countries, including over 20 heads of state and government are attending the UNFSS+2.
Food, fertilizer, energy and financial crises induced by the ongoing Ukraine war and sanctions and counter-sanctions have intensified the problem of hunger and malnutrition around the world. Therefore, food markets have been wildly disrupted by the war in Ukraine.
Export restrictions have made the situation worse, contributing to food scarcity and higher food prices. Some 690 million people are still suffering from malnutrition and nearly three billion are deprived of a balanced diet in the world.
Millions of people in poor countries around the world are at greater risk of hunger and starvation from the knock-on effect for food prices. Therefore, some will go hungry, some will starve and many may die as a result of these decisions.
The war is not only destroying many lives in the conflict zone, but it also is also wreaking havoc on people across the globe. Poverty and inequalities continue to sharply rise, and the debt burden for the poorer countries is swelling.
Economists have already sounded
the alarm that if restrictions on food,
fertiliser
and energy exports are not
lifted immediately, it could lead to food
insecurity
in many countries
As the inflation has increased, prices of all essentials went beyond the purchasing capacity. Hence, not only the developing nations like Bangladesh but developed countries also are struggling.
Economists have already sounded the alarm that if this conflict is not stopped and restrictions on food, fertiliser and energy exports are not lifted immediately, it could lead to food insecurity in many countries especially poor and developing ones.
People especially low income group and poor of many countries like Bangladesh are bearing the brunt. Many countries have imposed restriction on food grains, other food items, fertiliser and energy exports.
The Russia-Ukraine war is having a rippling effect on the global supply chain, fuelling dramatic cost increases and product shortages around the world. The restrictions on food and fertiliser exports are also stretching the entire humanitarian system and could have a lasting impact on the ability of organisations to tackle emergencies worldwide.
Keeping the global crisis in mind, the world community must make all-out efforts in order to withdraw restrictions on food, fertiliser and energy export. We hope the participants from over 160 countries, including heads of state and government will pay heed to Sheikh Hasina’s call for the sake of humanity.
