With Ukraine farmers on frontlines, U.N. food chief warns of 'devastation'

David Beasley, WFP Executive Director, stated that the attack is not only destroying Ukraine and its region dynamically but will also have a global context impact greater than anything seen since World War Two.

Beasley stated that 50% of grain purchased by the WFP (the food-assistance branch) of the United Nations comes from Ukraine. "So you can only imagine the devastation this will have on our operations." He said, "The farmers are at the frontlines."

Beasley said that the crisis was exacerbated by a shortage of fertilizer products from Russia and Belarus.

Your yield will drop at least half if you don't fertilize your crops. He explained that the council is now looking at the possibility of a disaster on top of the catastrophes in the months ahead.

Beasley stated that the WFP was already facing high fuel and food costs and shipping costs before Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24th. This forced it to reduce rations for millions in countries like Yemen.

Beasley warned that if the conflict in Ukraine is not resolved, "the whole world will be paying a heavy price" and that the World Food Programme was taking food from hungry children to feed starving children.

Russia's U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia refuted accusations that Moscow's actions had caused "serious turmoil" on the global food market. Instead, he blamed Western sanctions.

Russia describes its invasion as a "special military operations" that seeks to destroy Ukraine's military infrastructure. The 193 members of the U.N. General Assembly have strongly condemned Russia's "aggression", and demanded that it withdraw its troops.

Wendy Sherman, the U.S. Deputy Secretary for State, stated to the council that sanctions are not contributing to the global food crisis.

Sherman stated that President Putin is responsible for the conduct of war against Ukraine and its effects on global food security.

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