WFP: We Need $23 Bln to Address Biggest Food Security Crisis

Corinne Fleischer, regional director for the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Eastern Europe for the World Food Program (WFP). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Corinne Fleischer, regional director for the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Eastern Europe for the World Food Program (WFP). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT
20

WFP: We Need $23 Bln to Address Biggest Food Security Crisis

Corinne Fleischer, regional director for the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Eastern Europe for the World Food Program (WFP). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Corinne Fleischer, regional director for the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Eastern Europe for the World Food Program (WFP). (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Confronting the “biggest food security crisis” in modern history requires $23 billion to help around 150 million people in 2023, revealed an official at the UN’s food assistance organization, the World Food Program (WFP).

Corinne Fleischer, regional director for the Middle East, Northern Africa, and Eastern Europe for the WFP, affirmed that her organization had succeeded in helping 158 million people in 2022.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Fleischer reminded that Saudi Arabia ranks fifth on the list of the five largest WFP donors in the region, noting that the organization relies on the Kingdom’s continuous support to achieve its goals inside and outside the region.

As for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a deal allowing the export of Ukrainian grain over the Black Sea, Fleischer revealed that it had facilitated the shipping of more than 23 million tons of food products in eight months.

Furthermore, she warned that the conflict in Ukraine had disrupted the global food and energy markets and led to a rise in food and fuel prices, exposing millions to hunger.

Historic Relations with Saudi Arabia

The WFP’s partnership with Saudi Arabia dates to more than 45 years ago, revealed Fleischer, adding that the Kingdom had offered the program a steeply generous grant of $500 million in 2008. This donation enabled the WFP to complete its relief projects, and to provide food for millions of hungry people affected by high food prices.

“In 2014, the Kingdom contributed more than $200 million to provide food for displaced families in Iraq, Syrian refugees in countries neighboring Syria, as well as refugees from South Sudan and Somalia,” Fleischer told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Saudi Arabia ranked fifth on the list of the five largest donors to the WFP in the region for the years 2018-2019, and we always count on its continuous support to help the program achieve its goals inside and outside the region,” she added.

Black Sea Grain Initiative

Fleischer confirmed that the Black Sea Grain Initiative opened a humanitarian sea corridor for the export of Ukrainian grains.

The agreement played a pivotal role in the global response to combat hunger, she noted.

“A real solution to the global food crisis cannot be reached unless we can fully benefit from Ukrainian grain, Russian food and fertilizers,” said Fleischer.

“Since the signing of the Black Sea Initiative in Istanbul on July 22, the Joint Coordination Center – which includes representatives from Russia, Türkiye, Ukraine and the UN – has facilitated the shipping of more than 23 million tons of foodstuffs until March 8, 2023,” she added.

Food Prices Jump 15%

According to Fleischer, the conflict in Ukraine has triggered turmoil in global food and energy markets, rocketed food and fuel prices and put millions at risk of starvation.

Many families are unable to afford basic meals, stressed the WFP regional director.

Noting that food prices had stabilized in 2022 at the same rates recorded during the food crises of 2008 and 2011, Fleischer argues that the world was more stable in 2008 than it is today.

“We are witnessing the outbreak of many conflicts in Ethiopia, Yemen, Syria and Nigeria since 2009,” she explained.

Addressing Food Security Crisis Requires $23 Bln

Fleischer sounded the alarm regarding food security in the world, adding that the WFP is facing the greatest crisis in modern times.

The WFP needs $ 23 billion to help 149.6 million people around the world in 2023, she stressed.

Last year, the WFP and its partners provided food, nutrition, and cash assistance to a record number of people, estimated at 158 million people. This was based on record-breaking contributions amounting to $ 14 billion.

“The WFP succeeded in averting widespread famine, unrest and mass migration on a large scale,” claimed Fleischer, adding that the UN organization had transported Ukrainian grain to needy countries, facilitated the transportation of fertilizers, and prevented famine in some areas of Yemen.



NATO's Rutte Visits Odesa, Says Support for Ukraine Unwavering

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, center, pose for photos with a wounded Ukrainian soldier during their visit to a hospital in Odesa, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 15, 2025.(Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, center, pose for photos with a wounded Ukrainian soldier during their visit to a hospital in Odesa, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 15, 2025.(Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
TT
20

NATO's Rutte Visits Odesa, Says Support for Ukraine Unwavering

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, center, pose for photos with a wounded Ukrainian soldier during their visit to a hospital in Odesa, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 15, 2025.(Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, left, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, center, pose for photos with a wounded Ukrainian soldier during their visit to a hospital in Odesa, Ukraine, Tuesday, April 15, 2025.(Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said he had visited the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday and declared NATO's support for Ukraine was unwavering.

Rutte's visit was a show of solidarity with Kyiv following a Russian missile strike on the northern city of Sumy on Sunday that killed 35 people and wounded more than 100.

"Ukraine’s people have endured so much - not least Russia's Palm Sunday attack on Sumy. NATO support is unwavering," Rutte said in a post on social media platform X.

"We will continue to help Ukraine so it can defend today and deter future aggression, ensuring a just and lasting peace."

The trip took place as the United States - NATO's dominant power - is seeking to broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and it followed fresh criticism of Zelenskiy by US President Donald Trump.

Zelenskiy said he and Rutte had visited a hospital where Ukrainian soldiers were recovering from their wounds.

"We spoke with our warriors. I presented state awards to our defenders. I am grateful to our guys for their strength, resilience, and for protecting our people," he said on X.

"I also presented awards to the combat medics," he added. "I thank everyone who defends, treats, endures, and supports Ukraine. You are our strength."