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Global food prices rising because of Russian invasion; hunger, malnutrition, more violence could follow

Farmers harvest with their combines in a wheat field near the village Tbilisskaya, Russia, July 21, 2021.
AP Photo/Vitaly Timkiv, File

President Joe Biden today announced plans to release one million gallons of petroleum from the nation’s strategic stockpile every day for the next six months to combat rising gas prices. The historic move comes as a consequence of the war in Ukraine.

The Russian invasion is taking a direct toll on the people of Ukraine, but its repercussions are far reaching. Those include the potential for hunger and malnutrition for the most vulnerable people around the world.

In an essay published today on the blog “Political Violence At A Glance,” Stephan Haggard, and Jennifer Burney, professors in the School of Global Policy and Strategy at UC San Diego, wrote the war is causing food prices around the world to rise which could lead to more loss of life beyond Ukraine’s borders.

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"Food prices around the world are rising at rates not seen in over a decade and concerns are mounting over a real supply shock in the coming year. These developments threaten not only hunger, malnutrition and famine in countries that are already most vulnerable, but also urban political violence and worsening conditions in war-torn countries," they wrote.

Haggard joined Midday Edition on Thursday to talk about the humanitarian crisis that could result from rising food prices.

Haggard and Burney will be participating in a panel discussion on "Sanctions on Russia: The Energy and Food Dimensions" on Monday April fourth at 5 p.m. Register for the free public event here.