Now is the time to take action.
 | By Sara Chodosh Graphics Editor, Opinion |
It was only a few months ago that I learned, through researching an unrelated story, that global hunger has been increasing since about 2014. I had thought, maybe foolishly, that hunger had been decreasing for decades — and it had been, until that progress reversed in recent years. |
Then Sara Menker and Rajiv Shah, experts whose combined work spans agriculture, food insecurity, climate and humanitarian aid, approached us about writing a piece about how the war in Ukraine will exacerbate the strain on the world's imperiled food system. |
You've probably heard about the further price hikes everyone is likely to see as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For many, this will be a burden — but for the 810 million people in the world who already don't have enough food to eat, it will be a crisis. |
Unable to pay higher food prices, they may go hungry. |
In a visual essay this morning, Menker and Shah illustrate who is likely to be hit the hardest. Prices are rising for crucial crops like wheat and soybeans, and poorer nations — especially those that rely heavily on importation — will struggle in the coming months to have enough food and animal feed. Sudan and Afghanistan are at the top of that list, as is Egypt, the world's largest wheat importer. |
 | | Sara Chodosh |
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But as is often the case, history can show us how to help. Menker and Shah outline what global leaders can do now to mitigate the looming disaster. What's more, they note, actions taken now could prevent similar crises. |
Here's what we're focusing on today: |
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