Relief response to target Ukraine
Jun 10, 2022
WASHINGTON, DC -- The summer meeting of the Food Aid Consultative Group (FACG) yesterday provided various projections and reports on the dire consequences ahead as a result of the prolonged conflict in Ukraine compounded by existing complicating factors in the post pandemic world.
Much of the world is still reeling from the pandemic that disrupted logistics and supply chains and exacerbated inflation. Harsh climate patterns have left many regions of the globe in consistent drought year after year, adding to the complicated global food security situation. The Russian invasion and siege of Ukraine has caused massive market disruptions and hunger for people in that region, and has deprived many countries of their primary source of grain and fertilizer.
According to the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance, nearly 40 million people have been pushed into food insecurity and another 90 million into extreme poverty.
The U.S. government, through both USAID and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) emergency response programs, has announced a series of measures to address the more than 20 percent rise in food costs. This includes $2 billion in emergency food assistance and the complete draw down of $670 million in the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust (BEHT) for the purchase and shipping of commodities. The release of funds from BEHT will be used to purchase primarily bulk grain, pulses, and vegetable oil.
“While rice is not included in the initial purchase of commodities through BEHT funds, we have been told that it may be included in the next round of commodity purchases,” said Jacob Broussard, chair of the USA Rice Food Aid Subcommittee.
The relief response will target Ukraine and a number of other countries that the Famine Early Warning System network (FEWSnet) has identified as hunger emergencies with the potential for a mass famine event, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Yemen.
Higher food prices are impacting U.S. food aid programs as many of the commodities most frequently used in food assistance are experiencing unprecedented price spikes. One exception is rice, both milled and fortified, which has shown minor price increases despite the overall stress on the global food system.
“USA Rice has suggested that implementing agencies analyze price stable commodities, like rice, and consider programming them into their food mix or calling it forward in greater quantities,” said Broussard. “Rice and fortified rice are some of the most price stable, culturally acceptable, and commonly used commodities, that can save lives at this critical juncture in history. We stand ready, as always, to respond to this particularly difficult situation and help feed those around the world who need it most.”