Recent natural disasters may add to food crisis

The rise in food and fuel prices is posing a threat to African countries

By Manelisi Dubase
Members of the US Congress say the deadly typhoon and the earthquake that hit Burma and China respectively, might add to the on-going food crisis. Thousands of people died in these two natural disasters, and in addition to medicine and clothing, victims will need hundreds of tons of food.

The international community is working against time to prevent the biggest humanitarian crisis ever. The exorbitant hike in oil and food prices has particularly hurt millions living on less than 50 cents per day - who spend nearly all of their money on food. These reports prompted US Congressman, Dick Lugar, to insist on an immediate finalisation of the Doha round of talks.

"We must scale back agriculture subsidies and trade barriers that raise prices and undercut many farmers in the developing world. These policies are distorting agricultural trade and decision-making on a global scale and preventing many potential productive farmers in the developing world from accessing markets," says Lugar

Sky-rocketing oil prices
As economists estimate that the price of crude oil could soar to $200 a barrel in as little as six months, it appeared that these sky-rocketing oil prices are responsible for 20% of the increase in food prices.

"We will have to move on all fronts if we as the world are going to meet these targets for halving world hunger. It is going to be an enormous under-taking," says Foreign Assistant Director at USAid Henrietta Fore

Experts say urban populations are now the hardest hit by this food crisis and many are no longer able to afford to buy food at the present costs.