Global Starvation Worsens As the War in Ukraine Continues

Moscow has officially banned most shipments from Ukraine, which holds the world's largest wheat producers, ultimately attacking the country's energy grid and the flow of imported food.

Large ships containing wheat and other grains from Ukraine have been on pause along the Bosphorus in Istanbul as inspections are mandatory before proceeding to be ported all around the world.

Multiple ships that have been sailing through the strait, connecting the Black Sea ports to wider waters, began to go downhill when Russia first invaded Ukraine 10 months ago, which initiated a naval blockade. Due to diplomatic pressure, Moscow has allowed a limited number of vessels to pass, but continues to ban most shipments from Ukraine. Times back, Russia used to export a quarter of the world's wheat.

Resulting from Russia's missile and drone attacks on the Ukraines energy grid, it has caused a disruption to the grain terminals where wheat and corn are normally loaded onto these ships. The endurance of global starvation has become an astonishing result from these attacks and is one of the most severe consequences from Russia's war, initiating widespread starvation, poverty, and premature death.

Canada, the United States, and many other allies of Ukraine face difficulties to help reduce this damage. It has been “announced that Canada is providing $30 million in humanitarian funding to the World Food Programme to facilitate additional shipments of Ukrainian grain moving through the Black Sea Grain Initiative toward countries grappling with acute food insecurity” (Government of Canada).

As the world enters the depths of winter and Russia targets Ukraine’s infrastructure, the war is only getting worse. Food shortages have already been on a rise in the Horn of Africa and other parts of the world, due to the droughts and extreme weather conditions that have been occuring.

The United Nations has estimated that more than 345 millions people from all over the world are at risk of acute food insecurity. This number has doubled since 2019.

Wheat is one of the cheapest, and versatile foods out there, and is highly consumed by developing countries such as Africa. The war in Ukraine has made these food production prices sky-rocket. Inevitably, when a developing country's most affordable food item becomes unaffordable, they have no other choice but to be deprived of food.

The War in Ukraine is only getting worse and is affecting the lives of citizens from all around the world, at every angle. Children, teens, and families are suffering. The first casualties of this war started with innocence.

Below are supports for community members with family and loved ones impacted by events in Ukraine.

LifeWorks 24/7 Free Support Crisis Line for Those Impacted by the events in Ukraine: 1-844-751-2133
Ukrainian Enquiries Phone Line for Clients in Canada and Abroad: 613-321-4243 (Collect calls accepted)
310-COPE: 905-310-COPE (2673) or 1-855-310-COPE (2673) - available 24/7
KidsHelpPhone: 1-800-668-6868, text 686868 - available 24/7
Mental Health Helpline: 1-866-531-2600 - available 24/7
York Hills Help Phone Line: 905-503-9561 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30-4:00 p.m. for children and youth (0-18 years) and their parents, caregivers or adult supporters. Visit www.yorkhills.ca for more information