Ukraine war: Vladimir Putin's campaign endangers food supplies in the Arab world

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Watermelon seeds instead of wheat in Madagascar

Photo: Fenoarisoa Ralaiharinony / dpa

Aid organizations have warned of the serious consequences of the Ukraine war for the food supply - especially in countries in the Arab world and western Asia.

»Already now, 276 million people in 81 countries are affected by acute hunger.

The world simply cannot afford another conflict,” said the director of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) in Germany, Martin Frick.

More than half of the food that the WFP distributes in crisis regions comes from Ukraine.

»Putin's war is not only covering Ukraine with immeasurable suffering.

The effects will be felt far beyond the region's borders."

Experts warn of sharp price increases

Egypt – with more than 100 million inhabitants the most populous country in the Arab world – largely imports wheat from Russia and Ukraine.

The same applies to Tunisia.

In both countries, poor people in particular are in dire need of bread.

The food is subsidized and has therefore so far been affordable for almost everyone.

Experts in Tunisia are already warning of sharp price increases as a result of the war.

In the future, the country wants to rely on other import sources.

The grain is said to come from Argentina or Romania, for example.

It is unclear whether the deliveries can meet the great needs of the population.

Other countries in West Asia face similar problems.

Turkey is dependent on Moscow in several areas.

In 2020, around 65 percent of wheat imports came from Russia.

A deterioration in relations could make imports more expensive.

Turkey is already shaken by a currency crisis and high inflation, and there have been protests in many places over the past few weeks because of food price increases.

If, for example, bread prices should rise again, this could also increase anger against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who has sought proximity to Russia.

muk/dpa