ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳

As Ukraine descends into conflict, the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ (WFP) stands ready to deploy in support of affected populations. 

A first responder in humanitarian emergencies, ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳has the capacity to step in within 72 hours of a crisis erupting, provided that access is granted and resources are available. Between November 2014 and April 2018, ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ran an operation in eastern Ukraine, reaching more than one million people through cash, food vouchers or locally purchased food rations, operating on both government- and non-government-controlled areas.

¡°We are deeply concerned for the impact of hostilities on the lives and livelihoods of civilians,¡± said Margot van der Velden, WFP¡¯s Director of Emergencies.  ¡°As the situation evolves, there is a need to ensure that affected communities have continued access to any humanitarian support they may require and that the safety of humanitarian staff on the ground is guaranteed,¡± she added.

Conflict is a main driver in nearly all the major hunger emergencies ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳is responding to. ¡°With up to 283 million people currently acutely food insecure or at high risk in 81 countries, and 45 million already teetering on the brink of starvation, the world can¡¯t afford another conflict,¡± said van der Velden. ¡°ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳staff on the ground in dozens of conflict-affected countries bear witness to the devastating impact of fighting on millions of lives. For this reason, we advocate  for diplomacy as the only way to solve problems.¡±     

With the Black Sea basin being one of the world¡¯s most important areas for grain and agricultural exports, the food security impact of the conflict will likely be felt beyond Ukraine¡¯s borders, leaving buyers from Asia to Africa and the Middle East vulnerable to more expensive bread and meat if supplies are disrupted. 

Learn more about conflict and hunger