UN: 5 million Ukrainians face hunger, many forced to take on food debts
Five million people in Ukraine are facing serious food shortages, with the most critical situation in the frontline regions. This was reported by the UN World Food Program (WFP).
Source: wfp
Critical situation in the frontline regions
According to the WFP, millions of Ukrainians are forced to take extreme measures to feed their families. People are cutting back on their own meals to feed their children or borrowing money to buy food.
The situation is particularly acute in Kherson region, where more than half of the population is experiencing food shortages. Meanwhile, in Zaporizhzhia and Donetsk oblasts, two out of every five residents face hunger.
Forced savings and debts
WFP representatives emphasize that even while receiving humanitarian aid, Ukrainians continue to save on food. 72% of food aid recipients said they were forced to buy less nutritious food, skip meals or borrow money for food.
WFP Ukraine Country Director Richard Ragan noted that the situation is particularly difficult due to disrupted commercial supplies, damaged infrastructure and limited income opportunities.
Rapid price increases
The food crisis is being exacerbated by the rapid rise in prices for basic foodstuffs. Over the past year, prices for staple foods have increased by 25%, and some types of vegetables have even doubled in price.
Even where shops are open, many families cannot afford to buy enough food.
“Families in the frontline areas are facing a difficult choice: cut back on food or borrow money to survive. This region, once considered one of the richest agricultural centers in the world, is now completely dependent on humanitarian aid,” said Richard Ragan.
