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.



Malta Offers to Repair Gaza Aid Ship in Drone Strike Row

FILE PHOTO: A tug vessel puts a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience outside Maltese territorial waters in this handout picture provided by Malta Government Department of Information, May 2, 2025. Government of Malta/Handout via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: A tug vessel puts a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience outside Maltese territorial waters in this handout picture provided by Malta Government Department of Information, May 2, 2025. Government of Malta/Handout via REUTERS
TT
20

Malta Offers to Repair Gaza Aid Ship in Drone Strike Row

FILE PHOTO: A tug vessel puts a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience outside Maltese territorial waters in this handout picture provided by Malta Government Department of Information, May 2, 2025. Government of Malta/Handout via REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: A tug vessel puts a fire on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla vessel Conscience outside Maltese territorial waters in this handout picture provided by Malta Government Department of Information, May 2, 2025. Government of Malta/Handout via REUTERS

Malta offered on Sunday to repair an aid ship and send it on its way to Gaza after pro-Palestinian activists said the vessel had been hit by a drone strike.

But Prime Minister Robert Abela said the Freedom Flotilla Coalition must first allow a maritime surveyor on board to inspect the "Conscience" and determine what repairs are needed, AFP reported.

The pro-Palestinian activists had pointed the finger at Israel, which has blockaded the Gaza Strip throughout its military campaign against Hamas, for the attack.

If the ship can be fixed at sea, it will be, but otherwise it will be towed under Maltese control to the Mediterranean island for repairs, paid for by Malta.

"In the last few hours there was insistence that first the boat comes into Maltese waters and then the surveyor is allowed onboard," Abela said.

"Before a vessel -- any vessel -- is allowed to enter Maltese waters then control must be in the hands of Maltese authorities, especially when we are talking about a vessel with no flag, no insurance."

In an online press conference, members of the coalition who had been due to board the Conscience in Malta -- including Swedish activist Greta Thunberg -- said they had agreed to allow the inspection.

"When we received this offer from the Maltese government, we consulted with all of our Flotilla Coalition committee members who are on board," said Brazilian FFC volunteer Thiago Avila.

"And their decision is that this is a good proposition from the Maltese government," he said.

"As long as they can guarantee ... Conscience will not be stopped when it wants to leave on the humanitarian mission to take aid to Gaza."

The activists explained the Conscience has no flag because the government of the Pacific nation of Palau had announced that they were withdrawing their registration on Friday, the day of the alleged strike.

Otherwise, they insisted they had made every effort to comply with international maritime law when embarking on the mission to take aid to Palestinians in Gaza.

According to the Flotilla Coalition, the Conscience was attacked in international waters as it headed for Malta on Friday, causing a fire that disabled the vessel and minor injuries to crew members.

Maltese and Cypriot rescuers responded. No government has confirmed the Conscience was the victim of drones, but Cyprus's rescue agency said it had been informed by the island's foreign ministry of an Israeli strike.

The Israeli military did not provide an immediate response when contacted by AFP.

First reported by CNN, a flight tracking service showed that an Israeli C-130 military cargo plane had been in the area immediately before the incident and had made several low altitude sweeps over the area.

Israel is known for conducting covert operations beyond its borders, including several during the Gaza war that it only acknowledged later.

The activists said the strike appeared to target the boat's generator.