Hosted by the House Hunger Caucus

The crisis in Ukraine comes at a time when 45 million people are facing an emergency or catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity. Moreover, the conflict in Ukraine caused a spike in the global price of wheat, up to its highest level since 2008 when the world had its last severe global food price crisis. This is due to the fact that Russia and Ukraine export 29% of the world's wheat—almost one-third of the global market's wheat supply.

It is unclear if Ukraine will be able to harvest existing crops, plant new ones, or sustain livestock production as the conflict continues. As insecurity persists and both local and national supply chains are disrupted, people are likely to fall deeper into emergency levels of hunger and malnutrition. Countries like Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Syria, and Yemen depend on wheat from this region and will be significantly impacted by this crisis. Humanitarian organizations are already feeling the brunt of rising costs, having to reduce rations for vulnerable populations globally.

Congressional attention is needed to address this mounting crisis. This briefing raised awareness of the issue, highlighted the needs globally, and provided recommendations.

Participants

• Moderator: Noam Unger, InterAction Vice President, Development Policy, Advocacy and Learning
• Opening Remarks: Chairman Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (IN-02)

• Chase Sova, Senior Director of Public Policy and Research, World Food Programme USA
• Justus Liku, Director, Humanitarian Response, CARE
• Joseph Kamara, Regional Director, Humanitarian & Emergency Affairs, World Vision East Africa
• Mohamed Takoy, Country Director, Sierra Leone, Action Against Hunger