High food prices keep poorest people on the edge – World Bank

Global food prices are at high levels and when combined with continued volatility, put the poorest people in the developing world at continued risk, the World Bank Group’s Food Price Watch released on Monday has said.

While the emergency in the Horn of Africa was triggered by prolonged droughts, especially in areas struggling with conflict and internal displacement such as Somalia, food prices that are near-record high levels seen in 2008 also contributed to the situation, the report said.

Over the last three months, reportedly 29,000 children under five have died in Somalia and 600,000 children in the region remain at risk in the ongoing crisis that is threatening the lives and livelihoods of more than 12 million people.

“Nowhere are high food prices, poverty and instability combining to produce tragic suffering more than in the Horn of Africa,” said World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick.

“The World Bank is stepping up with short term help through safety nets to the poor and the vulnerable in places like Kenya and Ethiopia, along with medium term support for economic recovery.

“Long term support is also critical to building drought resilience and implementing climate-smart farming.”

Source: GNA