How The War In Ukraine Is Deepening The World’s Hunger Crisis

The pains of every war ripple out beyond the borders of the conflict zone. And as the war between Russia and Ukraine drags on, the disruptions in the global food supply chain are beginning to deepen the already dire hunger crisis around the world.

Ukraine and Russia have an outsized role in global food production: combined, they are responsible for about 30% of the wheat in the world, about two-thirds of sunflower seed oil, large amounts of barley and corn, and more.

Now, because of the ongoing war, the price of food worldwide is skyrocketing and 38 countries are facing acute food insecurity, meaning they are just one step from famine.

NPR global health and development correspondent Nurith Aizenman reports on how the war is driving up prices.

David Beasley, executive director of the UN World Food Programme, talks about how food insecurity looks inside of Ukraine, and what is to come for the rest of the world.

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