We all know about the Middle Eastern and North African conflicts occurring at the moment, what with Egypt and Libya and Tunisia, as well as other countries falling into turmoil. We all know that these conflicts have plagued the front pages of our papers and have cost so many lives and have pushed for democracy and liberation. But are there other, less obvious side effects of such conflict?
Higher transport and fuel costs due to problems in the Middle East and North Africa have in part caused world food prices to become 36% higher than prices one year ago, reports the BBC. This change in prices mean that 44 million people across the globe have since been pushed into poverty because they are now struggling to buy food. Even just another increase of a 10% rise would 10 million more people would fall into the "extreme poverty" category, which makes $1.25 a day. Some of the raw statistics are that the price of corn has risen an amazing 74%, the price of wheat has risen 69%, and the price of beef has risen 30%. Surprisingly, the price of rice has actually dropped 2%. But it's not only geographical problems that are causing these drastic and detrimental changes in food prices. The Guardian reports that fertilizer costs are also driving the prices up, in addition to the high fuel prices that are being caused by the problems in the Middle East.
But what does this mean for the population? Well, with wheat, corn, and soya considered basic necessities, it means that more and more people are being pushed into poverty trying to afford their basic nutrients. Corn has become the most important staple food crop in Africa, and is a major source of the world's starch, which is used in industrial products. The World Bank estimates that there are 1.2 billion people living on under $1.25 per day.
The World Bank wants to encourage food-producing countries to ease export controls, as well as discouraging production of biofuels when food prices exceed certain limits. They also want to have more investments in agriculture, as well as bringing in new technologies so as to help poor farmers with their crops. Something needs to be done about these rising food prices and these rising poverty levels. What are your thoughts? How should this problem be fixed, if at all?
3 comments:
The statistics are outright shocking. It amazes me how much can change in a year. For one thing, I would hate to be a family that it is pushed into poverty all because an issue like this one could have been avoided. In addition, I know I have been feeling the pinch at the gas station, when I spent almost $60 to fill up my car in comparison to a month ago when I spent about $45 to $50 to fill up. Sadly, as of right now I don't think there is a good and efficient way to handle the situation. Even though the government has stepped in, I think we must wait for things to get better on their own. Will they? I don't know. We will just have to wait and see.
As for the impoverished nations in Africa and the Middle East, there could be a couple of choices. One is that they can cut exports and enforce lower prices while controlling inflation in order to increase the spending power of their own people, hence increasing economic activity within the nation's own boarders. The other thing is that wealthier nations can increase donation exports of grain and other staples such as rice. If employed correctly, this could cause a market competition between humanitarian aid and gowers, which could force the growers to lower prices and give the general population more spending power while the humanitarian aid exports slowly decrease over time. This is my view of what could be done, but I think if its possible, the people of these nations should take up community farming and make their own "liberty gardens," and maybe level the bargaining table.
I agree with Emily that these statistics are indeed "outright shocking." Even liberation and democratic freedom have their own drawbacks.
With "44 million people across the globe" pushed into poverty because of the Middle Eastern/North African troubles, people must be having second thoughts or regretting the way they handled their oppression. Although I, as well as most people, do affirm that I am thankful for the overthrowing of the oppressive government, I also don't like to see others suffer from hardships they do not rightfully deserve.
Unfortunately, I don't quite know what could be done to alleviate the increased poverty that has arisen...
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