Russia's war in Ukraine could plunge up to 1.7 billion people, more than a fifth of humanity, into poverty and hunger on a scale not seen in decades. This is stated in the comments of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the Czech edition of Seznam Zprvy.

“Ukraine and the Russian Federation provide 30% of world production of wheat and barley, part of corn and more than half of sunflower oil. Grains from two countries feed the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. They account for more than a third of wheat imports in 45 African countries and the least developed countries,” Guterres said..

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From the beginning of 2022. prices for wheat and corn rose by 30%. Brent oil prices have risen more than 60% over the past year, while natural gas and fertilizer prices have more than doubled.

“War prevents farmers from caring for their crops, closes ports, blocks grain exports, disrupts supply chains and causes prices to skyrocket.. Many developing countries are still grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, their position is saddled with historical debt and the current soaring inflation..

Although most of the world, as the Secretary General noted, is in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, “we do not yet see such support for the 1.7 billion other potential victims of this war.”.

It should be noted that according to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation into Ukraine, at least 11.7 million people have been forced to leave their homes.. Ukrainians. Of these, 4.8 million. citizens left the country.