In war, there are many casualties, many being innocent victims. It is no different from the Ukraine war. Civilians and non-combatants are collateral damage. However, the detrimental effects of the war have spread worldwide. Vulnerable populations are paying the price of this war.
The World Bank says 94% of low-income countries globally are facing soaring levels of inflation, fueled in part by the impact of the war in Ukraine on food and fuel prices.
According to the International Rescue Committee's Emergency Watchlist, which highlights the 20 countries most at risk of worsening humanitarian crises in 2023, food prices have increased by almost 40% over the past year.
Today a record 349 million people across 79 countries are estimated to be experiencing acute food insecurity, according to the World Food Programme, as famine looms across parts of East Africa.
According to the International Energy Agency, some 70 million people worldwide who recently gained access to electricity can no longer afford it, with many returning to coal and firewood to heat their homes.
Even when food is available in markets, people can often not afford to put food on the table for their families.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative was a much-needed step towards restarting shipments of Ukrainian grain to people in hunger-affected countries.
Just 10% of the grain exported through this initiative has been delivered to just five low-income countries: Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. In fact, Spain has received twice as much as these five countries put together.
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