G7 to Provide $21 Billion to Alleviate Hunger Crisis
The G7 countries have agreed on a multi-billion-dollar development aid package to address hunger crises worldwide by strengthening regional agriculture and trade. However, aid organizations insist that this is not enough.
The G7 countries will provide $21 billion this year to address humanitarian crises, including food shortages in many parts of the world, according to a communique from the summit in Hiroshima, Japan. The G7 countries expressed their “deep concern” about the deteriorating food situation. The reasons cited were the coronavirus pandemic, volatile prices for energy, food, and fertilizers, as well as climate change and conflicts. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated the food crisis around the world. The G7 countries pledged to intensify their efforts to combat hunger.
Schulze: More Agriculture in Developing Countries
Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze praised the summit’s outcomes, saying, “The G7 remains committed to fighting hunger worldwide. While Russia’s attack war has driven millions of people in developing countries into hunger, we are working on solutions within the G7.” The SPD politician added that it is essential to make developing countries less dependent on the uncertainties of the global market to prevent further food crises.
To achieve this, regional agricultural production and trade in developing countries must be strengthened. Schulze further stressed that only climate-adjusted, sustainable agriculture, which preserves biodiversity, can ensure the long-term availability of healthy and nutritious food for all people. Effective hunger alleviation also requires good international coordination.
The minister cited the Alliance for Global Food Security (GAFS), which the G7 created jointly with the World Bank in 2022. “The fact that the G7 now commits itself a year later to further and holistic engagement is a strong sign of solidarity with the Global South,” she added.
Oxfam Accuses G7 of Development Policy Failure
International aid organizations, however, expressed disappointment with the G7 summit’s decisions. Oxfam stated, “They can allocate incalculable amounts to wage war but not even half of what the United Nations needed to deal with the worst humanitarian crises.”
The UN had estimated the need at $55 billion ahead of the summit. Therefore, Oxfam accused the G7 countries of development policy failure, saying they had “abandoned the Global South.” Moreover, the summit in Hiroshima did not offer any debt forgiveness for poor countries or a convincing solution to the global hunger crisis.
Food insecurity continues to worsen
According to the UN, global food insecurity has already risen for the fourth consecutive year in 2022. Conflicts and mass displacement remain the main causes of food crises.
However, increasing poverty due to the COVID-19 pandemic or the war in Ukraine, exacerbated inequality and underdevelopment, the climate crisis, and natural disasters also contributed to the crisis.