Global Food, Fuel Crisis Will Increase Malnourished By 44 Million: World Bank
High food and fuel prices will increase the number of malnourished people around the world in 2008 by 44 million to reach a total of 967 million, said a report released by the World Bank on Wednesday.
While food and fuel price increases may have moderated in recent months, prices remain much higher than previous years and show few signs of declining significantly, according to the report entitled “Rising food and fuel prices: addressing the risks to future generations”.
– While people in the developed world are focused on the financial crisis, many forget that a human crisis is rapidly unfolding in developing countries. It is pushing poor people to the brink of survival, said World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick.
– The financial crisis will only make it more difficult for developing countries to protect their most vulnerable people from the impact of rising food and fuel costs, he warned.
Zoellick called for emergency action from rich economies to tackle the problem, and warned that its effects can persist for a generation. – This means children will not grow into healthy adults, he said.
Zoellick noted that business failures, bank emergencies and balance of payments crises are all possible in developing countries as the crisis spreads. The World Bank chief said the Bank had identified around 28 countries that could face fiscal difficulties.
Kilde: www.worldbank.org
