In order to alleviate hunger crises worldwide, the G7 countries have agreed on a development aid package worth billions. Regional agriculture and trade are to be strengthened. Aid organizations are not enough.
The G7 countries want to provide 19 billion euros this year to deal with humanitarian crises. This emerges from a communiqué from the summit meeting in Hiroshima, Japan. Accordingly, it is also intended to respond to a worsening food shortage in many parts of the world.
The G7 countries expressed their “deep concern” about the deteriorating food situation. The reasons given were the corona pandemic, fluctuating prices for energy, food and fertilizers as well as climate change and conflicts. The war in Ukraine has exacerbated the food crisis in the world. The G7 countries pledged to step up their efforts to fight hunger.
Schulze: More agriculture in developing countries
Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze praised the results of the meeting. “The G7 remain committed to fighting hunger in the world. While the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression have driven millions of people in developing countries to starvation, we in the G7 are working on solutions,” said the SPD politician. The task now is to make the developing countries less dependent on the imponderables of the world market – in order to prevent further food crises.
To achieve this, regional agricultural cultivation and regional trade in developing countries must be strengthened. The Global South in particular needs the support of the G7 countries, Schulze continued.
“Only climate-adapted, sustainable agriculture that preserves biological diversity can ensure the basis for a long-term supply of healthy food for everyone,” Schulze continued. In addition, good international coordination is a key to effectively combating hunger.
The Minister referred to the Alliance for Global Food Security (GAFS), which the G7 founded together with the World Bank in 2022. “The fact that the G7, now one year later, are united in their commitment to further and holistic engagement is a strong sign of solidarity with the Global South,” she added.
Oxfam throws G7 developmental failure before
International aid organizations have expressed their disappointment with the decisions of the G7 summit. Regarding continued arms shipments to Ukraine, Oxfam said: “You can provide untold billions to fight wars, but not even half of what the United Nations needs to deal with the worst humanitarian crises.”
The UN had estimated the need in the run-up to the summit at 55 billion dollars. Oxfam therefore accused the G7 countries of failure in terms of development policy: “They have let the Global South down,” according to the aid organization. It was also criticized that in Hiroshima there was neither debt relief for poor countries nor a convincing solution to the global hunger crisis.
food insecurity increases
According to the UN, global food insecurity increased in 2022 for the fourth year in a row. Conflicts and mass displacement remain the main reason for food crises.
But increasing poverty as a result of the corona pandemic or the Ukraine war, worsening inequality, severe underdevelopment, the climate crisis and natural disasters also contributed to this.