The Global Food Crisis
The world food crisis about which we currently hear so much is causing serious difficulties for individuals being supported by WJR: people from across the world, from Argentina to Zimbabwe rely now, more than ever, on assistance from the British Jewish community.
In Ukraine, inflation hit 29.3% in June 2008 – the highest in Europe. Despite expectations of a bumper crop this year, prices have not yet returned to anything near affordable for WJR’s clients. 2006-07 saw an improvement in quality of life that has since dropped away, primarily due to high inflation on commodities and pensions/salaries that simply cannot keep up. WJR’s food support to thousands of elderly and children across the country could not be more vital at this time.
Events in Ukraine have a knock-on effect in Georgia where wheat prices are rising despite more land being used for farming than previously. Typically, Georgia would purchase wheat and other grains from Russia and Kazakhstan. This year, Russia has upped the export taxes on wheat from €22 to €100, pushing costs too high for Georgia. Kazakhstan has had to withdraw from the Georgian market as needs at home increase and Ukraine, despite promising to open its market, has not done so in time for 2008. WJR’s food support to the elderly of Rustavi, Tbilisi and other areas of Georgia is vital to helping them fight rising food prices in this time of shortage.
In Zimbabwe and Darfur, the international food crisis is compounded by national strife. Hyper-inflation (in July 2008, Zim$100 billion were printed but worthless before hitting the streets) and the political crisis exacerbate a food crisis brought about by harvest failures and heavy rains in 2007 and 2008. WJR is working with local partners to find ways of reaching those in need at a time of an almost blanket ban on NGOs in the country.
World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that around two million in Darfur are in need of food aid this year. Food prices in local markets are rocketing and many of the displaced have missed the planting season through lack of access. Communities hosting IDPs are, in turn, more vulnerable to the food crisis as the numbers dependent upon their own harvests increases. One of WJR’s activities in Darfur is to provide income generating opportunities for elderly IDPs living in camps around el-Geneina town. Through this programme they not only retain their dignity and purpose but are also able to support themselves and any dependents through access to the markets in a world of food insecure people.
