Countries around the world are likely to face even more severe food shortages in 2022 with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis set to have the biggest impact on lower-income countries, a newly-released United Nations report has warned.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pointed out in the report that the world faces an unprecedented hunger crisis, with food prices having never been higher and the lives and livelihoods of millions left hanging in the balance.
He said the situation in Ukraine is exacerbating a food, energy, and financial crisis that will have a devastating impact on the world's most vulnerable countries.
Jointly issued by 17 agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the report covers the food situation of 53 countries in 2021 and forecasts the situation in 2022 for 41 countries.
It said that last year, 193 million people across 53 countries were at risk of food insecurity, a significant increase from 2020, while the global food security situation is expected to worsen in 2022.
The report also says the conflict between Russia and Ukraine is expected to further reduce global food security.
