36 countries rely on Russia, Ukraine for more than half of their wheat imports: UN
New Delhi: A total of 1.7 billion people are suffering from disruptions in the food supply, energy, and financial areas, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.
“As many as 1.7 billion people — one-third of whom are already living in poverty — are now highly exposed to disruptions in food, energy, and finance systems that are triggering increases in poverty and hunger,” he said at a news conference. “Thirty-six countries count on Russia and Ukraine for more than half of their wheat imports — including some of the poorest and most vulnerable countries of the world.”
Price had already been rising when the crisis exacerbated the situation, the secretary-general said.
Oil prices climbed by more than 60 percent over the past year, natural gas prices rose by 50 percent in the few past months, while fertilizer prices more than doubled, he said.
“Inflation is rising, purchasing power is eroding, gross prospects are shrinking, and development is being stalled,” Guterres said.
(Vinayak)
