UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Food Insecurity

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What is food insecurity?
A person is food insecure when they lack regular access to enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life. This may be due to unavailability of food and/or lack of resources to obtain food. Food insecurity can be experienced at different levels of severity.

Source: https://www.fao.org/hunger/en/

UN Entities

• Global Crisis Response Group on Food, Energy and Finance
  https://news.un.org/pages/global-crisis-response-group/
  The war in Ukraine, in all its dimensions, is producing alarming cascading effects to a world economy already battered by COVID-19 and climate change, with particularly dramatic impacts on developing countries. The world’s most vulnerable people can not become collateral damage.
  • Global Impact of war in Ukraine on food, energy and finance systems – Brief No.1, 13 April 2022: https://news.un.org/pages/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/UN-GCRG-Brief-1.pdf
  • Global impact of war in Ukraine: Billions of people face the greatest cost-of-living crisis in a generation, Brief No.2, 8 June 2022: https://news.un.org/pages/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/GCRG_2nd-Brief_Jun8_2022_FINAL.pdf
  • Global impact of war in Ukraine: Energy crisis, Brief No.3, 3 August 2022: https://news.un.org/pages/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/GCRG_3rd-Brief_Aug3_2022_FINAL.pdf
• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • Hunger and food insecurity: https://www.fao.org/hunger/en/
  • Food Systems: https://www.fao.org/food-systems/en/
  • The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World: https://www.fao.org/publications/sofi/en/
  • Wood Food Situation: https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/en/
  • Right to Food: https://www.fao.org/right-to-food/en/
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
  • Nutrition: https://www.ifad.org/en/nutrition
• World Food Programme (WFP)
  • A global food crisis: 2022: a year of unprecedented hunger: https://www.wfp.org/hunger-catastrophe
  • Ending Hunger: https://www.wfp.org/ending-hunger
  • Food Systems: https://www.wfp.org/food-systems
  • Food Safety and Quality: https://www.wfp.org/food-safety-and-quality
  • Food Security Cluster: https://www.wfp.org/food-security-cluster
  • Food Security Analysis: https://dataviz.vam.wfp.org/
  • Nutrition: https://www.wfp.org/nutrition
  • Global Report on Food Crises – 2022: https://www.wfp.org/publications/global-report-food-crises-2022
  • WHO Global Strategy for Food Safety 2022-2030: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240057685
• UN Nutrition
  https://www.unnutrition.org/
  UN Nutrition is the UN inter-agency coordination and collaboration mechanism for nutrition at the global and country levels.
• Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  • OHCHR and the right to food: https://www.ohchr.org/en/food
• Special Rapporteur on the right to food
  • https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-food
• World Bank
  • Food Security: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/food-security
  • Nutrition: https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/nutrition
  • Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard: https://www.gafs.info/

• World Trade Organization (WTO)
  • Food Security: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/agric_e/food_security_e.htm

Further information

• United Nations – Global issues: Food
  https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/food
• Sustainable Development Goal 2: Zero Hunger
  https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/hunger/
  https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal2
• Global Network Against Food Crises
  http://www.fightfoodcrises.net/
  The Global Network Against Food Crises is an alliance of humanitarian and development actors united by the commitment to tackle the root causes of food crises and promote sustainable solutions through shared analysis and knowledge, strengthened coordination in evidence-based responses and collective efforts across the Humanitarian, Development and Peace (HDP) nexus. European Union, FAO and WFP launched the Global Network Against Food Crises at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit (WHS) to respond to the WHS’s call for new approaches to tackle protracted crises and recurrent disasters, reduce vulnerability, and manage risk, by bridging the divide between development and humanitarian partners. 
• Global Action Plan on Child Wasting
  https://www.childwasting.org/
  This is a joint initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
  • Call to Action: Priority Actions for Immediate Acceleration in Response to the Global Food and Nutrition Crisis – UN Global Action Plan on Child Wasting (12 January 2022): https://www.who.int/news/item/12-01-2023-urgent-action-needed-as-acute-malnutrition-threatens-the-lives-of-millions-of-vulnerable-children
  • Global food crisis putting millions of young lives at risk (UN News, 12 January 2023): https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/01/1132407

Research & Documentation

• Dag Hammerskjöld Library Research Guide: Food Security and Nutrition – A Global Issue: https://research.un.org/en/foodsecurity
• Economic Commission of Africa (ECA) LibGuide: The Cost of Hunger in Africa: https://libguides.uneca.org/Costofhunger
• UNRIC Library Backgrounder: Food Waste: https://unric.org/en/unric-library-backgrounder-food-waste/
• The World Bank/IMF Library Network: Health, Nutrition and Population Research Guide with COVID-19 Updates: https://researchguides.worldbankimflib.org/c.php?g=1016495
• UN documents on “Food insecurity”: https://bit.ly/3O60ula
• UN documents on “Food security”: https://bit.ly/3rW1LC2
• UN documents on “Food shortage”: https://bit.ly/3vMJPLn
• UN documents on “Hunger”: https://bit.ly/3OBbI1L
• UN documents on “Right to Food”: https://bit.ly/38rRuGW

UN Events & Conferences

• World Food Safety Day, 7 June
  https://www.un.org/en/observances/food-safety-day
  https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/WFSD/en/
• International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, 29 September
  https://www.un.org/en/observances/end-food-waste-day/
  https://www.fao.org/international-day-awareness-food-loss-waste/en/
• World Food Day, 16 October
  http://www.fao.org/world-food-day
• Security Council Meeting, 15 September 2022:
  Protection of civilians in armed conflict – Briefing on Conflict and Food Security
  • Summary Press Release: https://press.un.org/en/2022/sc15032.doc.htm
  • Webcast: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k1w/k1wf6kket9
  • ‘Tsunami of hunger’ could trigger multiple famines, Security Council warned (UN News, 15 September 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1126771
  • Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths Remarks at Security Council briefing on conflict-induced food insecurity and the risk of famine (15 September 2022): https://reliefweb.int/node/3886967
• High-Level Special Event “Time To Act Together: Coordinating Policy Responses To The Global Food Security Crisis”, 18 July 2022, UN Headquarters, New York
  • Summary: https://www.un.org/pga/76/2022/09/01/letter-from-the-president-of-the-general-assembly-special-event-on-food-security-summary/
• Security Council meeting, 18 May 2022 – Maintenance of international peace and security – Conflict and food security
  https://research.un.org/en/docs/sc/quick/meetings/2022
  • Concept Note: https://undocs.org/S/2022/391
  • Summary Press Release: https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sc14894.doc.htm
  • Webcast: https://media.un.org/en/asset/k10/k10mjpv1u3
  • Forty-nine million people in 43 countries one step away from famine, Secretary-General warns in Briefing to Security Council on conflict, food security (SG/SM/21288, 19 May 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sgsm21288.doc.htm
  • UN Security Council meeting: Agriculture is key to lasting peace and security, FAO says: Director-General QU Dongyu notes that conflict remains the main driver of global hunger (19 May 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/un-security-council-meeting-agriculture-is-key-to-lasting-peace-and-security-fao-says/en
  • Failing to open Ukrainian ports means declaring war on global food security, WFP Chief warns UN Security Council (19 May 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/failing-open-ukrainian-ports-means-declaring-war-global-food-security-wfp-chief-warns-un
• The Food Systems Summit, 23 September 2021, New York
  https://www.un.org/en/food-systems-summit

Impacts of the war in Ukraine on food security worldwide – related news items

• UN report warns of accelerating food insecurity in the Arab region due to global crises (29 March 2023): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/un-report-warns-of-accelerating-food-insecurity-in-the-arab-region-due-to-global-crises/en
• IFAD and Burundi sign US$3 million grant to help cushion small-scale farmers from continued impacts of Ukraine crisis (28 March 2023): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/ifad-and-burundi-sign-us-3-million-grant-to-help-cushion-small-scale-farmers-from-continued-impacts-of-ukraine-crisis
• WTO – Insights into Global Trade, by Jean-Marie Paugam, Deputy Director-General / Food security: The key to unlocking agriculture negotiations at the WTO? (Blog, 28 March 2023): https://www.wto.org/english/blogs_e/ddg_jean_marie_paugam_e/blog_jp_28mar23_e.htm
• IMF – Policy Responses to High Energy and Food Prices (24 March 2023): https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2023/03/24/Policy-Responses-to-High-Energy-and-Food-Prices-531343
• IFAD – “There is no food security without water security,” says IFAD executive in plea to increase investments in water solutions for small-scale farmers (21 March 2023):
  https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/there-is-no-food-security-without-water-security
• Spotlighting Russian Federation-Ukraine War’s impact on global food, energy stability, delegates in Security Council urge renewing Grain Initiative (SC/15233, 17 March 2023): https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15233.doc.htm
• World Bank – Countries catalyze new preparedness plans to more effectively respond to emerging major food and nutrition crises (15 March 2023): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2023/03/15/countries-catalyze-new-preparedness-plans-to-more-effectively-respond-to-emerging-major-food-and-nutrition-crises
• IMF – Global food crisis may persist, with prices still elevated after year of war: International organizations repeat joint call for rapid action on food and nutrition security (9 March 2023): https://www.imf.org/en/Blogs/Articles/2023/03/09/global-food-crisis-may-persist-with-prices-still-elevated-after-year-of-war
• Conflict and Violence are the Primary Causes of Hunger and Famine, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food tells the Human Rights Council (9 March 2023): https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2023/03/conflict-and-violence-are-primary-causes-hunger-and-famine-special-rapporteur-right
• WTO – New working group on food security discusses financing challenges, questionnaire results (1 March 2023): https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news23_e/wpfs_01mar23_e.htm
• Joint Statement by the Heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Food Programme and World Trade Organization on the Global Food and Nutrition Security Crisis (8 February 2023): https://www.wfp.org/news/joint-statement-heads-food-and-agriculture-organization-international-monetary-fund-world-0
• WTO – DDG Paugam: Trade is crucial to ensure sustainable food supplies in times of crisis (21 January 2023): https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news23_e/ddgjp_21jan23_e.htm
  Addressing a group of ministers on 21 January at the Agriculture Ministers’ Conference 2023, Deputy Director-General Jean-Marie Paugam highlighted the importance of leveraging trade to achieve sustainable and resilient food systems at a time when the world is facing the challenges of food insecurity and climate change. The conference was part of the 15th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin.
• World Bank – Recognizing and tackling a global food crisis (5 January 2023): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2023/01/05/recognizing-and-tackling-a-global-food-crisis
• UNCTAD – Weekly Tradecast: A hungry future: The climate change risks to food security (5 January 2023): https://unctad.org/podcast/hungry-future-climate-change-risks-food-security
• Coming Together to Address the Global Food Crisis (19 December 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/immersive-story/2022/12/20/shorthand-story-food-security.print
• Monitoring food security in food crisis countries with conflict situations: a joint FAO/WFP update for the members of the United Nations Security Council (November 2022, Issue No 11): https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/cc3146en
• UNCTAD – A Double Burden: The effects of food price increases and currency depreciations on food import bills (16 December 2022): https://unctad.org/a-double-burden
• Yemen: FAO welcomes an additional $150 million multi-agency contribution from the World Bank to strengthen resilience and address growing food insecurity (13 December 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/yemen-fao-welcomes-an-additional-million-multi-agency-contribution-from-the-world-bank-to-strengthe
• WFP – How a donation of fertilizers for countries in Africa comes not a minute too soon: The World Food Programme is helping transport a critical need for farmers in the global food crisis (9 November 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/how-donation-fertilizers-countries-africa-comes-not-minute-too-soon
• FAO, UNICEF and WFP call for urgent and long-lasting action in West and Central Africa as the region faces another year of record hunger with thousands experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity (8 December 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/fao-unicef-and-wfp-call-urgent-and-long-lasting-action-west-and-central-africa-region-faces
• WTO – DDG González: Multilateral trading system must do more to avert food security crisis (8 December 2022): https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news22_e/ddgag_08dec22_e.htm
• WTO – Agriculture Committee’s new working group on food security launches a needs questionnaire (7 December 2022): https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news22_e/agri_07dec22_e.htm
• IFAD – No biodiversity, no farmers, no food security: IFAD calls for a robust and ambitious agreement at biodiversity COP to protect the future of rural communities and food security around the world (6 December 2022): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/no-biodiversity-no-farmers-no-food-security
• FAO / IOM/ WFP — Impact of the Ukraine Crisis in Zimbabwe – November 2022 (6 December 2022): https://reliefweb.int/report/zimbabwe/impact-ukraine-crisis-zimbabwe-november-2022
• ECLAC / FAO / WFP — Towards sustainable food and nutrition security in Latin America and the Caribbean in response to the global food crisis: https://repositorio.cepal.org/handle/11362/48532
• Secretary-General appoints Reena Ghelani of Australia United Nations Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator (SG/A/2165, 29 November 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sga2165.doc.htm
• ‘Intense diplomatic efforts’ continue to ensure food and fertilizers reach those in need (UN News, 29 November 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/11/1131127
• Amid looming global food insecurity crisis, ‘breakthrough’ on fertilisers hailed (UN News, 18 November 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/11/1130777
• Recommit to the right to food – UN expert (15 November 2022): https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2022/11/recommit-right-food-un-expert
• Unity, solidarity, multilateral solutions vital to addressing food, energy crises, says Secretary-General in Group of 20 Remarks (SG/SM/21584, 15 November 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21584.doc.htm
• WTO, FAO study calls for global action to improve access to fertilizers, avert food crisis (14 November 2022): https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news22_e/igo_14nov22_e.htm
• Implications of the Conflict in Ukraine on Food Access and Availability in the East Africa Region update #7 (October 2022): https://reliefweb.int/report/burundi/implications-conflict-ukraine-food-access-and-availability-east-africa-region-update-7-october-2022
• General Assembly adopts text authorizing $3.52 Million to ease global food insecurity, considers annual International Court of Justice report (GA/12461, 27 October 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/ga12461.doc.htm
• General Assembly – Fifth Committee approves draft authorizing $3.52 Million to mitigate global food insecurity, welcoming Secretary-General’s efforts for comprehensive response (GA/AB/4396, 21 October 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/gaab4396.doc.htm
• World Bank – What You Need to Know About Food Security and Climate Change (17 October 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/10/17/what-you-need-to-know-about-food-security-and-climate-change
• UN News – Global food crisis: Let’s move from ‘despair to hope and action’, urges Guterres (14 October 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/10/1129547
• World Food Day 2022: Call to leave no one behind comes at critical juncture for global food security (FAO / IFAD / WFP) (14 October 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/world-food-day-2022-call-leave-no-one-behind-comes-critical-juncture-global-food-security
• World Food Day: Soaring prices, soaring hunger; “What was a wave of hunger is now a tsunami of hunger” — WFP chief David Beasley (14 October 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/world-food-day-soaring-prices-soaring-hunger
• A partnership to ensure food security for vulnerable communities: UNV partnering with FAO (14 October 2022): https://www.unv.org/Success-stories/partnership-ensure-food-security-vulnerable-communities
• President of the General Assembly – Address to 50th Session of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS), 10 October 2022: https://www.un.org/pga/77/2022/10/10/virtual-pga-address-to-50th-session-of-the-committee-on-world-food-security-cfs/
• General Assembly – Concerned by growing food insecurity, speakers in Fifth Committee support funding to help implement Black Sea Grain, Russian foodstuff, fertilizer trade deals (GA/AB/4392, 10 October 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/gaab4392.doc.htm
• WTO – Count on WTO in coordinated action to fight food security crisis, says DDG Paugam (10 October 2022): https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news22_e/ddgjp_10oct22_e.htm
• IMF Executive Board Approves a new Food Shock Window and an Enhanced Staff-Monitored Program with Board Involvement (5 October 2022):
  https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/10/05/pr22335-imf-approves-a-new-food-shock-window-and-an-enhanced-staff-monitored-program
• WFP – Implications of the Conflict in Ukraine on Food Access and Availability in the East Africa Region update #6 (September 2022): https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000143258/download/
• IMF Managing Director welcomes the creation of a New Food Shock Window to help countries address food insecurity (30 September 2022): https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/09/29/pr22327-imf-managing-director-creation-new-food-shock-window-help-countries-address-food-insecurity
• FAO – Reducing food loss and waste central to tackling climate change, food insecurity and to making more efficient use of our natural resources says FAO expert: Interview with Rosa Rolle, Team Leader, Food Losses and Waste, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (28 September 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/reducing-food-loss-and-waste-central-to-tackling-climate-change-food-insecurity-and-to-making-more-efficient-use-of-our-natural-resources-says-fao-expert/en
• FAO – G20 Agriculture Ministers meeting: Stop a food access crisis from turning into a food availability crisis, FAO says; Director-General QU Dongyu urges peace, warns of devastating implications of soaring food and fertilizer prices (28 September 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/g20-agriculture-ministers-s-meeting-stop-a-food-access-crisis-from-turning-into-a-food-availability-crisis-fao-says/en
• UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s remarks on how to best respond to the disproportionate impacts of rising food insecurity on women and girls in humanitarian crisis (23 September 2022): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-executive-director-catherine-russells-remarks-how-best-respond
• Second Joint Statement by the Heads of FAO, IMF, WBG, WFP, and WTO on the Global Food Security and Nutrition Crisis (21 September 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/second-joint-statement-by-the-heads-of-fao-imf-wbg-wfp-and-wto-on-the-global-food-security-and-nutrition-crisis/en
• FAO/WFP – Food crisis tightens its grip on 19 ‘Hunger Hotspots’ as famine looms in the Horn of Africa – New Report (21 September 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/food-crisis-tightens-its-grip-19-hunger-hotspots-famine-looms-horn-africa-new-report
• Food security ‘Ground Zero’ for inclusive multilateralism, Secretary-General tells Roundtable, warning today’s crisis could turn into tomorrow’s catastrophe (SG/SM/21468, 20 September 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21468.doc.htm
• World Bank – Sahelian countries must accelerate growth and prioritize climate adaptation to alleviate poverty and address food insecurity – new World Bank Group report (19 September 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/09/19/sahelian-countries-can-boost-and-diversify-their-economies-to-take-on-the-climate-crisis-and-food-insecurity
• WFP – A generation at risk: nearly half of global food crisis hungry are children, say WFP, African Union Development Agency NEPAD, The Education Commission and education partners (16 September 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/generation-risk-nearly-half-global-food-crisis-hungry-are-children-say-wfp-african-union
• IMF – How Africa can escape chronic food insecurity amid climate change (15 September 2022): https://blogs.imf.org/2022/09/15/how-africa-can-escape-chronic-food-insecurity-amid-climate-change/
• WFP – Global Food Crisis – WFP Update: 15 September 2022: https://reliefweb.int/report/world/global-food-crisis-wfp-update-15-september-2022
• WTO – Agriculture meeting highlights food security, urgency of implementing MC12 outcomes (15 September 2022): https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news22_e/agri_14sep22_e.htm
• WFP – Global food crisis: Cash offers hope as people feel the heat; Annual UN meetings backdropped by unprecedented hunger crisis (13 September 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/global-food-crisis-cash-offers-hope-people-feel-heat
• OCHA – Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths remarks for The Road to UN General Assembly: Preventing Famine and Fighting Food Insecurity (12 September 2022): https://reliefweb.int/node/3885671
• World Bank – West Africa food insecurity demands climate-smart response amid multiple crises (8 September 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/09/08/west-africa-food-insecurity-demands-climate-smart-response-amid-multiple-crises
• UN Nutrition – War in Ukraine shows increasing impact of intersecting crises: A glimpse at how UN Nutrition members are responding (5 September 2022): https://www.unnutrition.org/private/war-in-ukraine-shows-increasing-impact-of-intersecting-crises/
• WFP vessel leaves Ukraine with grain for humanitarian response in Yemen (30 August 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-vessel-leaves-ukraine-grain-humanitarian-response-yemen
• Humanitarian needs in Ukraine, global food crisis still skyrocketing six months after Russian Federation’s invasion, Secretary-General warns Security Council (SG/SM/21423, 24 August 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/sgsm21423.doc.htm
• UNDP – Food, fuel, finance: The global impact of the war in Ukraine (24 August 2022): https://stories.undp.org/food-fuel-finance
• WFP – Bulk carrier sets off from Ukraine with grain for WFP in first since start of war (16 August 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/bulk-carrier-sets-ukraine-grain-wfp-first-start-war
• World Bank – Food Security Update (29 July 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture/brief/food-security-update
• IFAD – How the war in Ukraine is affecting the most vulnerable countries in the world (20 July 2022): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/how-the-war-in-ukraine-is-affecting-the-most-vulnerable-countries-in-the-world
• UN News – UN and partners meet to address ‘critical’ state of global food crisis (18 July 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/07/1122762
• 50 million will be severely hungry this year, says Deputy Secretary-General, in remarks to General Assembly Event on Global Food Crisis (DSG/SM/1766, 18 July 2022): https://press.un.org/en/2022/dsgsm1766.doc.htm
• UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s remarks at an address on the state of global food security and nutrition (18 July 2022): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-executive-director-catherine-russells-remarks-address-state-global-food
• Joint Statement by the Heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization, International Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, World Food Programme, and World Trade Organization on the Global Food Security Crisis (15 July 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/joint-statement-by-the-heads-of-the-food-and-agriculture-organization-international-monetary-fund-world-bank-group-world-food-programme-and-world-trade-organization-on-the-global-food-security-crisis/en
• WFP scales up to support the most vulnerable in Global Food Crisis ( 14 July 2022): https://www.wfp.org/publications/wfp-scales-support-most-vulnerable-global-food-crisis
• WFP – Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict on WFP Operations in Eastern Africa (13 July 2022): https://reliefweb.int/report/world/impact-russia-ukraine-conflict-wfp-operations-eastern-africa-july-2022
• IFAD chooses its top finance executive, Alvaro Lario, as next president to lead response to the global food crisis (7 July 2022): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/ifad-chooses-its-top-finance-executive-alvaro-lario-as-next-president-to-lead-response-to-global-food-crises
• IFAD – The latest food security and nutrition report paints a grim picture. Three IFAD experts react to the shocking figures (6 July 2022): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/the-latest-food-security-and-nutrition-report-paints-a-grim-picture.-three-ifad-experts-react-to-the-shocking-figures
• FAO – World at serious risk of a food access crisis now and a food availability crisis next season: FAO Director-General addresses UN High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (5 July 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/world-at-serious-risk-of-a-food-access-crisis-now-and-a-food-availability-crisis-next-season/en
• UN News – UN needs $68.4 million to help Central African Republic where 2.2 million are acutely food insecure (5 July 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/07/1121952
• WHO intensifies response to looming health crisis in the greater Horn of Africa as food insecurity worsens (30 June 2022): https://www.who.int/news/item/30-06-2022-who-intensifies-response-to-looming-health-crisis-in-the-greater-horn-of-africa-as-food-insecurity-worsens
• WFP welcomes G7’s fresh commitment to food security amid unprecedented global food crisis (28 June 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-welcomes-g7s-fresh-commitment-food-security-amid-unprecedented-global-food-crisis
• World Bank – The Fight against Food Insecurity in the Caribbean (28 June 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/06/28/food-insecurity-caribbean
• G7 Ministerial Conference: FAO outlines five urgent steps to address the global food crisis / Director-General Qu Dongyu spoke at the “Uniting for Global Food Security” event (24 June 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/g7-ministerial-conference-fao-outlines-five-urgent-steps-to-address-the-global-food-crisis/en
• UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s remarks at the Uniting for Global Food Security conference in Berlin (24 June 2022): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-executive-director-catherine-russells-remarks-uniting-global-food-security
• Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs remarks at International Conference “Uniting for Global Food Security,” 24 June 2022, Berlin: https://reliefweb.int/node/3860112
• War in Ukraine Drives Global Food Crisis (24 June 2022): https://www.wfp.org/publications/war-ukraine-drives-global-food-crisis
• WFP urges G7: ‘Act now or record hunger will continue to rise and millions more will face starvation’ (21 June 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/wfp-urges-g7-act-now-or-record-hunger-will-continue-rise-and-millions-more-will-face
• WFP – West African decision-makers meet to discuss economic recovery in a region destabilised by conflict, covid-19 and hunger crises (21 June 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/west-african-decision-makers-meet-discuss-economic-recovery-region-destabilised-conflict-covid
• World facing unprecedented hunger crisis, Deputy Secretary-General warns Economic and Social Council, urging governments to support resilience at scale (DSG/SM/1752, 20 June 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/dsgsm1752.doc.htm
• Economic and Social Council focuses on recurrent crises, food insecurity, displacement, in lead up to Humanitarian Affairs Segment (ECOSOC/7089, 20 June 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/ecosoc7089.doc.htm
• FAO – Innovative partnerships key to global food security, FAO Director-General says (18 June 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/innovative-partnerships-key-to-global-food-security-fao-director-general-says/en
• Afghanistan: FAO and the World Bank step up their response to the worsening food security (13 June 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/afghanistan-fao-and-the-world-bank-step-up-their-response-to-the-worsening-food-security/en
• FAO – New UN Food Outlook report: World’s most vulnerable are paying more for less food: FAO flags risks to food security from high food and agricultural input prices (9 June 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/new-un-food-outlook-report-world-s-most-vulnerable-are-paying-more-for-less-food/en
• UN News – Act now to end food, energy and finance crisis, Guterres urges world leaders (8 June 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1119962
• UNCTAD – War in Ukraine threatens to unleash ‘unprecedented wave’ of global hunger and destitution (08 June 2022): https://unctad.org/news/war-ukraine-threatens-unleash-unprecedented-wave-global-hunger-and-destitution
• FAO – Mediterranean Dialogue on Food Crisis: Conflict bolsters the case for transforming agrifood systems; FAO Director-General participates along with dozens of ministers in summit to tackle higher prices for food, fertilizer and fuel (8 June 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/mediterranean-dialogue-on-food-crisis-conflict-bolsters-the-case-for-transforming-agrifood-systems/en
• World Bank – Remarks by Mari Pangestu, Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships at the Ministerial Mediterranean Dialogue on the Food Security Crisis (8 June 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/speech/2022/06/08/remarks-by-mari-pangestu-managing-director-for-development-policy-and-partnerships-at-the-ministerial-mediterranean-dial
• UN News – Horn of Africa braces for ‘explosion of child deaths’ as hunger crisis deepens (7 June 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1119862
• UN News – World Food Safety Day highlights need to improve health, prevent foodborne risks (7 June 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1119872
• IMF Blog – Response to High Food, Energy Prices Should Focus on Most Vulnerable (7 June 2022): https://blogs.imf.org/2022/06/07/response-to-high-food-energy-prices-should-focus-on-most-vulnerable/
• UN News – Overlapping crises push millions into ‘extreme levels of acute food insecurity’ (6 June 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1119752
• FAO and WFP warn of looming widespread food crisis as hunger threatens stability in dozens of countries (6 June 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/fao-and-wfp-warn-looming-widespread-food-crisis-hunger-threatens-stability-dozens-countries
• FAO – The Sudan: FAO scales up response to soaring acute food insecurity exacerbated by potential impacts of the war in Ukraine: FAO welcomes a $12 million contribution from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, more funds are urgently needed to avert hunger crisis (31 May 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/the-sudan-fao-scales-up-response-to-soaring-acute-food-insecurity-exacerbated-by-potential-impacts-of-the-war-in-ukraine/en
• IFAD – The need for better donor coordination: Building long-term resilience against food systems crises / by Satu Santala (26 May 2022): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/the-need-for-better-donor-coordination-building-long-term-resilience-against-food-systems-crises
• UNDP: New crises looming in Africa in wake of War in Ukraine (24 May 2022): https://www.undp.org/press-releases/undp-new-crises-looming-africa-wake-war-ukraine
• WTO – DDG Paugam: WTO is actively participating in efforts to preserve global food security (24 May 2022): https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news22_e/ddgjp_25may22_e.htm
• WFP – Ripple effect of conflict in Ukraine deepens pandemic woes and worsens hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean (24 May 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/ripple-effect-conflict-ukraine-deepens-pandemic-woes-and-worsens-hunger-latin-america-and
• WFP – The day the UN barred using hunger and starvation as weapons of war – Four years after the Security Council passed the landmark resolution 2417, World Food Programme head of emergencies Margot van der Velden explains why in a year of unprecedented hunger marking the anniversary is so important (24 May 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/day-un-barred-using-hunger-and-starvation-weapons-war
• IMF – Middle East and North Africa’s Commodity Importers Hit by Higher Prices (24 May 2022): https://blogs.imf.org/2022/05/24/middle-east-and-north-africas-commodity-importers-hit-by-higher-prices/
• General Assembly adopts resolution addressing Global Food Crisis (GA/12421, 23 May 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/ga12421.doc.htm
  • A/RES/76/264: State of global food insecurity / Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 23 May 2022: https://undocs.org/A/RES/76/264
• WFP – War in Ukraine: How can I sell my harvest if there’s no market? (23 May 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/war-ukraine-how-can-i-sell-my-harvest-if-theres-no-market
• UN News – Food insecurity threatens societies, exacerbates conflicts and ‘no country is immune’ (19 May 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/05/1118652
• WFP – Conflict in Ukraine highlights the urgent need to build resilient food systems with people at their heart – says WFP at COP15 (19 May 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/conflict-ukraine-highlights-urgent-need-build-resilient-food-systems-people-their-heart-says
• World Bank – Joint Statement: G7 Presidency, World Bank Group establish Global Alliance for Food Security to catalyze response to food crisis: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/statement/2022/05/19/joint-statement-g7-presidency-wbg-establish-global-alliance-for-food-security
• IMF – Emergency Meeting of African Ministers of Finance and Ministers of Agriculture on the Looming Food Security Crisis in Africa / Remarks by Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, 19 May 2022: https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/05/19/sp051922-emergency-meeting-on-the-looming-food-security-crisis-in-africa
• UN News – Nations must ‘act together, urgently and with solidarity’ to end crisis of food insecurity (18 May 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/05/1118562
• If we don’t feed people, we feed conflict, Secretary-General tells Global Food Security Call to Action Ministerial Event, warning mass hunger looms (SG/SM/21285, 18 May 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sgsm21285.doc.htm
• FAO – Time to transform agrifood systems in response to multiple shocks and worsening food security: FAO Director-General outlines steps to make agrifood systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable at ministerial-level event in New York (18 May 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/time-to-transform-agrifood-systems-in-response-to-multiple-shocks-and-worsening-food-security/en
• IMF- Statement by IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on the publication of the Joint International Financial Institutions Plan to Address Food Insecurity (18 May 2022): https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2022/05/17/pr22158-statement-md-on-joint-plan-to-address-food-insecurity
• World Bank Announces Planned Actions for Global Food Crisis Response (18 May 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/05/18/world-bank-announces-planned-actions-for-global-food-crisis-response
• UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell’s remarks at UN high-level event on conflict, hunger and children with Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield of the United States (17 May 2022): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-executive-director-catherine-russells-remarks-un-high-level-event-conflict
• UNICEF – World a ‘virtual tinderbox’ for catastrophic levels of severe malnutrition in children: Soaring food prices driven by the war in Ukraine and pandemic-fuelled budget cuts set to drive up both need for, and cost of life-saving therapeutic food treatment, the latter by up to 16 per cent (16 May 2022): https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/world-virtual-tinderbox-catastrophic-levels-severe-malnutrition-children
• WFP – Implications of the Ukraine Crisis: Food, Fuel, Fertilisers and Freight Prices in the Southern Africa Region (16 May 2022): https://reliefweb.int/report/angola/implications-ukraine-crisis-food-fuel-fertilisers-and-freight-prices-southern-africa-region
• UN News – Ukraine war squeezes food supplies, drives up prices, threatens vulnerable nations (13 May 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/05/1118172
• FAO – G7: FAO puts forward proposals to address current and future food shortages (13 May 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/g7-fao-food-shortages-agriculture-ukraine-russia-germany/en
• IFAD launches response to protect world’s rural poor against shocks from war in Ukraine (11 May 2022): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/ifad-launches-response-to-protect-world-s-rural-poor-against-shocks-from-war-in-ukraine
• UNECA – Africa launches a platform to deal with the Ukraine crisis shocks (9 May 2022): https://www.uneca.org/stories/africa-launches-a-platform-to-deal-with-the-ukraine-crisis-shocks
• FAO – Global Report on Food Crises: acute food insecurity hits new highs; The international community calls for a shift towards better prevention, anticipation, and targeting to address the root causes of food crises (4 April 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/global-report-on-food-crises-acute-food-insecurity-hits-new-highs/en
• WFP – Needs at all-time high even before the war in Ukraine, food crises report says: Multi-agency study calls for a shift towards better prevention, anticipation, and targeting to address the root causes of food crises (4 May 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/needs-all-time-high-even-war-ukraine-food-crises-report-says
• IMF Blog – Africa Faces New Shock as War Raises Food and Fuel Costs (28 April 2022): https://blogs.imf.org/2022/04/28/africa-faces-new-shock-as-war-raises-food-and-fuel-costs/
• UNFPA – War in Ukraine shocks global food supply, putting lives at risk (27 April 2022): https://www.unfpa.org/news/war-ukraine-shocks-global-food-supply-putting-lives-risk
• FAO – Two Months after the Start of the War, Food Insecurity Continues to Grow / Op-ed by Mario Lubetkin, Assistant Director-General of FAO (Inter Press Service, 27 April 2022): https://www.ipsnews.net/2022/04/two-months-start-war-food-insecurity-continues-grow/
• World Bank – Food and energy price shocks from Ukraine war could last for years (26 April 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2022/04/26/food-and-energy-price-shocks-from-ukraine-war
• UN News Interview: ‘Era-defining’ war in Ukraine impacts WFP operations in South Sudan (25 April 2022): https://news.un.org/en/interview/2022/04/1116802
• FAO – Surging food prices: FAO calls for import financing facility for poorer nations at G20 meeting; Director-General QU Dongyu addresses finance ministers and central bank governors in Washington (20 April 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/surging-food-prices-fao-calls-for-import-financing-facility-for-poorer-nations-at-g20-meeting/en
• UNECA – Boosting Africa’s resilience to the adverse impact of the Ukraine crisis (20 April 2022): https://www.uneca.org/stories/boosting-africa%E2%80%99s-resilience-to-the-adverse-impact-of-the-ukraine-crisis
• WFP – Food and oil price hikes drive up costs for cash-strapped WFP operations in West Africa as region faces record hunger (14 April 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/food-and-oil-price-hikes-drive-costs-cash-strapped-wfp-operations-west-africa-region-faces
• UNESCWA – War in Ukraine will lead to a record of about 126 million poor in the Arab region (14 April 2022): https://www.unescwa.org/news/war-ukraine-will-lead-record-about-126-million-poor-arab-region
• Joint Statement: The Heads of the World Bank Group, IMF, WFP and WTO call for urgent coordinated action on food security (13 April 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/joint-statement-heads-world-bank-group-imf-wfp-and-wto-call-urgent-coordinated-action-food
• UNCTAD – UN crisis response group calls for immediate action to avert cascading impacts of war in Ukraine (13 April 2022): https://unctad.org/news/un-crisis-response-group-calls-immediate-action-avert-cascading-impacts-war-ukraine
• WFP – France, EU and WFP meet to discuss impact of war in Ukraine on food security (13 April 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/france-eu-and-wfp-meet-discuss-impact-war-ukraine-food-security
• WFP – War in Ukraine: Fears for impact on global hunger after ‘agricultural fields turned into battlefields’ (13 April 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/war-ukraine-fears-impact-global-hunger-farms-turned-battlefields
• WFP – France, EU, WFP to announce initiatives to mitigate impact of conflict in Ukraine on global food security (press briefing) (11 April 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/france-eu-wfp-announce-initiatives-mitigate-impact-conflict-ukraine-global-food-security-press
• UN News – Ukraine war drives international food prices to ‘new all-time high’ (8 April 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1115852
• WFP – Hunger in West Africa reaches record high in a decade as the region faces an unprecedented crisis exacerbated by Russia-Ukraine conflict (8 April 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/hunger-west-africa-reaches-record-high-decade-region-faces-unprecedented-crisis-exacerbated
• FAO – Ukraine crisis: the world can still contain the impact on global food security with the right policies, FAO Director-General says; QU Dongyu addresses FAO Members as they convene to discuss the impact of the conflict on global food supply (8 April 2022): https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/ukraine-crisis-the-world-can-still-contain-the-impact-on-global-food-security-with-the-right-policies-fao-director-general-says/en
• FAO – Response to the Ukraine Crisis: Social Protection for Food Security and Nutrition (7 April 2022): https://www.fao.org/3/cb9448en/cb9448en.pdf
• UNICEF – As the war in Ukraine continues, millions of children in the Middle East and North Africa at increased risk of malnutrition amid food price hikes (7 April 2022): https://www.unicef.org/mena/press-releases/war-ukraine-continues-millions-children-middle-east-and-north-africa-increased-risk
• WFP – Projected increase in acute food insecurity due to war in Ukraine (6 April 2022): https://www.wfp.org/publications/projected-increase-acute-food-insecurity-due-war-ukraine
• World Bank Feature Story – Q&A with Juergen Voegele on Food Security (5 April 2022): https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2022/04/05/q-a-with-juergen-voegele-on-food-security
• IFAD – How the war in Ukraine impacts the world (5 April 2022): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/how-the-war-in-ukraine-impacts-the-world
• WFP – War in Ukraine pushes Middle East and North Africa deeper into hunger as food prices reach alarming highs (31 March 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/war-ukraine-pushes-middle-east-and-north-africa-deeper-hunger-food-prices-reach-alarming-highs
• WFP – Lebanon: War in Ukraine means price rises amid climate crisis (31 March 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/lebanon-war-ukraine-means-price-rises-amid-climate-crisis
• UN News – Ukraine war could create widespread food insecurity, warns FAO (29 March 2022): https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1114962
• Security Council – Conflict, humanitarian crisis in Ukraine threatening future global food security as prices rise, production capacity shrinks, speakers warn Security Council (SC/14846, 29 March 2022): https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sc14846.doc.htm
• FAO Information Note: The importance of Ukraine and the Russian Federation for global agricultural markets and the risks associated with the current conflict, 25 March 2022 Update: https://www.fao.org/3/cb9236en/cb9236en.pdf
• IFAD – Impacts of Ukraine conflict on food security already being felt in the Near East North Africa region and will quickly spread, warns IFAD (17 March 2022): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/impacts-of-ukraine-conflict-on-food-security-already-being-felt-in-the-near-east-north-africa-region-and-will-quickly-spread-warns-ifad
• IMF Chart of the Week: War-fueled surge in food prices to hit poorer nations hardest (16 March 2022): https://blogs.imf.org/2022/03/16/war-fueled-surge-in-food-prices-to-hit-poorer-nations-hardest/
• WFP – Ukraine adds to Yemen’s woes as hunger emergency spreads and lack of funding leaves millions vulnerable (15 March 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/ukraine-adds-yemens-woes-hunger-emergency-spreads-and-lack-funding-leaves-millions-vulnerable
• WFP – Yemen: Millions at risk as Ukraine war effect rocks region (14 March 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/yemen-millions-risk-ukraine-war-effect-rocks-region
• WFP – Ukraine war: More countries will ‘feel the burn’ as food and energy price rises fuel hunger, warns WFP (11 March 2022): https://www.wfp.org/stories/ukraine-war-more-countries-will-feel-burn-food-and-energy-price-rises-fuel-hunger-warns-wfp
• WFP – Food security implications of the Ukraine conflict (11 March 2022): https://www.wfp.org/publications/food-security-implications-ukraine-conflict
• FAO – New Scenarios on Global Food Security based on Russia-Ukraine Conflict / by Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) (11 March 2022): https://www.fao.org/director-general/news/news-article/en/c/1476480/
• World Bank Blog – Compounded stress: The impact of the war in Ukraine on the Middle East and North Africa (7 March 2022): https://blogs.worldbank.org/arabvoices/compounded-stress-impact-war-ukraine-middle-east-and-north-africa
• WFP ramps up food operation for Ukraine and warns the world’s hungry cannot afford another conflict (4 March 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-ramps-food-operation-ukraine-and-warns-worlds-hungry-cannot-afford-another-conflict
• IFAD – The impact of conflict in Ukraine on global food security – Statement by Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD (3 March 2022): https://www.ifad.org/en/web/latest/-/the-impact-of-conflict-in-ukraine-on-global-food-security-statement-by-gilbert-f.-houngbo-president-of-ifad-1
• WFP Executive Director Statement on impact of conflict in Ukraine (24 February 2022): https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-executive-director-statement-impact-conflict-ukraine

Last update: 29 March 2023
not an official document – for information only
https://unric.org/en/unric-library-backgrounder-food-insecurity/