New York, NY, July 17, 2023 鈥 David Miliband, President and CEO of the 探花精选, said, 鈥淭he 探花精选 () is deeply alarmed at Russia鈥檚 withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative, putting the future of the grain exports from the region at risk - a decision which will be most painfully felt by the 349 million people around the world facing food insecurity today. From Ukraine to Somalia, 探花精选鈥檚 clients are facing the ripple effects on food and energy prices of 500 days of war. The expiration of the deal risks holding global food security at ransom.
鈥淎pproximately 80% of East Africa's grain is imported from Russia and Ukraine. With over 50 million people across East Africa facing hunger at crisis levels () and food prices up by nearly 40% this year. Any disruption to the global food supplies at a time of heightened need could have devastating consequences.
鈥淭he world鈥檚 most vulnerable will face the harshest consequences of today鈥檚 withdrawal.Without the grain deal in place, it is all the more urgent that the United Nations humanitarian response plans for countries at risk of famine are fully funded and that global efforts to prevent famine from taking hold are coordinated through a re-energised UN's High-Level Task Force on Preventing Famine.鈥