UN's Guterres Calls for Greater Resources to Help Poorest Countries

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said that the ripple effects of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war on food security, energy, and finance are systemic, severe, and speeding up.

The UN chief called for immediate action on two fronts: stabilizing global food and energy markets and supporting poorer countries in the global crisis, according to a statement released by the UN.

The UN statement warned that if the war continues, and grain and fertilizer high prices persist into the next planting season, shortages of other basic foods such as rice will occur, affecting billions more worldwide.

In his address at a press conference to launch the latest report on the conflict’s impacts on food security, energy, and financing, he said that the negative effects that result from the ongoing war in Ukraine have generated a severe cost-of-living crisis that no country or community can escape.

"Three months into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we face a new reality,” Guterres told reporters.

“For those on the ground, every day brings new bloodshed and suffering. And for people around the world, the war is threatening to unleash an unprecedented wave of hunger and destitution, leaving social and economic chaos in its wake.”

Moreover, the crisis is amplifying the consequences of other challenges confronting countries, such as the climate emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic, and inequalities in resources for post-pandemic recovery.

The increase in hunger since the start of the war could be higher and more widespread, said the report.

The number of severely food insecure people doubled from 135 million prior to the pandemic, to 276 million over just two years. The ripple effects of the war could push this number to 323 million, the report noted.

At the end of his statement, the UN chief called for greater resources to help the world’s poorest countries and communities at this crucial time.

“Governments must be able to borrow the money they need to keep their economies afloat and their people thriving."