Statement by Deepmala Mahla, CARE VP – Humanitarian Affairs
July 22, 2023 —We are extremely concerned about the ongoing targeting of civilian infrastructure, including of grain supplies in southern Ukraine, and Russia’s decision earlier in the week to pull out of the Black Sea Grain initiative.
These recent developments have already led to a considerable spike in commodity prices which subsequently will have a massive negative impact on the poor globally, especially women and families, increasing their food insecurity.
Millions worldwide who are struggling under a cost-of-living crisis, especially the countries that rely heavily on commodity imports—including Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen—will be hit the hardest. Communities in these countries are already facing crisis-level food insecurity, with many living on the brink of famine. What’s more, those who are marginalized due to gender, age, ethnicity, nationality, sexuality, or other characteristics consistently bear the brunt of crisis but have the fewest positive coping strategies to rely on for assistance.
CARE condemns the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure, including critical food infrastructure that the world relies on. We reiterate our call for all parties to renew their commitments to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and for the flow of food to countries already facing a major hunger crisis to continue unhindered.
Media contact: Anisa.Husain@care.org