The EU asks the G20 to take measures against the risk of food insecurity

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged the G20 finance and agriculture ministers to take urgent action to help the 70 million people who are at risk of acute food insecurity as a result of the war between Russia and Ukraine.

Yellen told the opening meeting of G20 finance and agriculture ministers that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his officials are responsible for the “immense” human suffering caused by the war, according to a Treasury official.

“That includes the innocent lives claimed by President Putin’s missile strikes across Ukraine on Monday,” he said, referring to the most widespread wave of airstrikes to hit far from the front line since the start of the war.

Yellen added that Russia’s blockade of ports and the destruction of agricultural infrastructure have disrupted supply chains and food production globally, and that the impact has been felt especially in developing countries that Russia ” falsely claims to support.”

He stressed that US sanctions against Russia do not target the production, manufacture, sale or transportation of agricultural products, including fertilizers, and urged G20 officials to make sure their industries know that sanctions must not prevent the flow of agricultural products to those who need them.

He also called on the G20 countries to increase financial aid to initiatives such as the World Program for Agriculture and Food Security, to which Washington has just given $155 million, and to avoid all restrictions on food exports.

The United States announced nearly $10 billion in aid this year to provide critical support to food-insecure countries, Yellen said.

Washington also supports a temporary freeze on debt service for countries that need debt relief and seek help under the G20 Common Framework adopted in late 2020.