Abdul Hakim Elwaer, the Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, has raised concerns regarding food security in the Arab region. He noted that 30% of the region’s population is facing the threat of hunger.
One of the primary reasons is the pervasive conflicts in areas like Syria, Yemen, and Sudan. Such conflicts often result in massive displacements, abandonment of farmlands, and a subsequent breakdown of the food systems.
Elwaer, during his interview with media personality Nashaat El-Dihi on the “Bal Warka Wal Qalam” show aired on the TEN channel on Tuesday evening, also highlighted the negative repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The global health crisis has severely impacted supply chains, leading to a notable decrease in the availability of food products worldwide. Additionally, he commented on the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, pointing out its ripple effect on the already strained supply chains.
The FAO representative highlighted a rather distressing fact: around 800 million people globally go to bed hungry daily, despite significant food wastage in many regions. This wastage is particularly pronounced during the holy month of Ramadan.
He drew attention to the extent of food wastage, with global statistics indicating that up to 30% of food gets wasted. In the Arab region, this figure jumps to a staggering 40%, with countries like Egypt and those in the Gulf region being significant contributors.
