HRW: War in Ukraine Worsens Hunger in  Middle East, North Africa

The war in Ukraine has led to worsening hunger in the Middle East and North Africa. This war highlighted the urgent need for governments to create, expand, or increase social protection systems, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.

The organization indicated in a report that "the possible rise in food prices, exacerbated by the conflict, will have a severe impact in Lebanon.

According to Lebanese customs figures for the year 2020, Ukrainian wheat imports accounted for about 80% and Russian 15% of the total wheat imports to Lebanon."

As for Libya, the HRW pointed out that imports of  "Ukrainian" wheat constitute more than 40% of wheat imports in Libya," and since the start of the Russian military operation, "the prices of wheat and flour have soared, and with it, merchants' concern about stock interruptions, and merchants have increased prices by up to 30%.".

In Yemen, “due to the conflict there, the country witnessed one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. More than half of its population faces food insecurity and many face severe and persistent shortages of fuel.