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☆ 5G-enabled farms could ward off food insecurity and unlock $100 billion in global profits by 2030
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Clara Mcmichael | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

There lies Swans Trail Farms, a family-owned operation that focuses on agritourism and events with apple orchards, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and strawberry fields. Swans Trail FarmsSnohomish County and the 5G Open Innovation Lab launched sites to pilot 5G-enabled agricultural tech on two farms— Swans Trail and Andrew's Hay. CARES Act funding for the initiative dried up last year, but the 5G Open Innovation Lab continues to fund the project. The 5G Open Innovation Lab and Innov8.ag are working to expand to eastern Washington, an area of the state that's more agricultural. We've had our hiccups," Jim Brisimitzis, the head of the 5G Open Innovation Lab, said.

☆ Kenya drought: Hundreds of elephants, wildebeests and zebras reported dead
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Idris Mukhtar | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Hundreds of elephants, wildebeests, and zebras have died across Kenya amid the nation’s longest drought in decades. “The Kenya Wildlife Service Rangers, Community Scouts, and Research Teams counted the deaths of 205 elephants, 512 wildebeests, 381 common zebras, 51 buffalos, 49 Grevy’s zebras, and 12 giraffes in the past nine months,” a report released Friday by the country’s Ministry of Tourism said. An elephant keeper rests next to a month-old calf at Reteti Elephant Sanctuary in Samburu, Kenya on October 12, 2022. Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP/Getty Images“The drought has caused mortality of wildlife, mostly herbivore species,” Malonza said. According to the ministry, Kenya had just 36,000 elephants left last year.

☆ Russia abandoned its plan to block food exports leaving Ukraine after ships ignored Putin and kept sailing anyway
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Russia pulled out of its grain export deal with Ukraine over the weekend. The grain export deal, brokered by Turkey and the UN, is vital to the global food supply. But despite the country's withdrawal, a UN official said Tuesday that they would press ahead with their plans to let authorized ships leave Ukraine. The World Food Programme warned earlier this year that Russia's invasion could result in a "hunger catastrophe" if such a food export deal was not struck. The head of the European Council in June also accused Russia's troops of burning Ukrainian fields and stealing wheat, compounding food shortages.

☆ Russia rains missiles on Kyiv, other cities after pulling out of grain deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Instead of fighting on the battlefield, Russia fights civilians,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said. “Don’t justify these attacks by calling them a ‘response.’ Russia does this because it still has the missiles and the will to kill Ukrainians.”Foreign ministry spokesman Oleg Nikolenko said missiles had hit energy infrastructure in Kyiv and other cities, causing electricity and water outages. Russia and Ukraine are both among the world’s biggest food exporters, and a Russian blockade of Ukrainian grain shipments caused a global food crisis earlier this year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused Russia of “blackmailing the world with hunger” by pulling out of the food export deal negotiated by the United Nations and Turkey. The United Nations said it had agreed with Turkey and Ukraine on a transit plan for Monday for 16 ships to move Black Sea grain — 12 outbound and four inbound.

☆ Grain ships sail from Ukraine ports as Russian missiles knock out power across country
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Pavel Polityuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

However, the ministry did not say what Russia would do if ships continued to sail the route. Meanwhile on the 250th day of a war that has ground on since Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, Russian missiles rained down across the country. International officials had feared that Moscow would reimpose a blockade on Ukrainian grain. MISSILE STRIKES[1/4] Smoke rises on the outskirts of the city during a Russian missile attack, as Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 31, 2022. After Russia suspended its participation in the grain shipping programme, the United States accused Russia of using food as a weapon.

Feb 24, on Saturday halted its role in the Black Sea deal for an "indefinite term", cutting shipments from one of the world's top grain exporters, because it said it could not "guarantee safety of civilian ships" travelling under the pact after an attack on its Black Sea fleet. During Sunday's session among the grain deal delegations, Russian officials said Moscow will continue the dialogue with the United Nations and the Turkish delegation on pressing issues, the U.N. said in its statement. FALSE PRETEXT'The Russian defence ministry said Ukraine attacked the Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol with 16 drones early and that British navy "specialists" had helped coordinate what it called a terrorist attack. Russia said it repelled the attack but that the ships targeted were involved in ensuring the grain corridor out of Ukraine's Black Sea ports. SHIPS BLOCKEDThe grain deal had restarted shipments from Ukraine, allowing sales on world markets, targeting the pre-war level of 5 million metric tonnes exported from Ukraine each month.

☆ Zelenskyy accuses Russia of creating 'artificial famine' after Moscow suspends crucial grain deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Hyder Abbasi | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of creating “conditions of artificial famine” and suggested it should be expelled from the G-20 group of nations on Saturday after Moscow withdrew from a crucial grain export deal. “How can Russia be among the G-20 if it is deliberately working for starvation on several continents?” Zelenskyy said during an address on Ukrainian television. President Joe Biden warned that global hunger could increase because of Russia’s decision to suspend the deal. The U.N. negotiated that deal and that should be the end of it.”Secretary of State Antony Blinken also accused Russia of weaponizing food. The grain deal had restarted shipments from Ukraine, allowing sales on world markets, targeting the prewar level of 5 million metric tons exported from Ukraine each month.

ISTANBUL, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Russia said on Saturday it was pulling out of a deal aimed at unlocking Ukrainian grain and fertiliser exports from Black Sea ports and easing global food shortages. TIME FRAMEThe deal signed on July 22 was valid for 120 days and the United Nations expected it to be renewed unless the war had ended by then. Under the deal, Ukrainian pilots guide the ships along safe channels in its territorial waters, with a minesweeper vessel on hand but no military escorts. Monitored by the JCC, the ships then transit the Black Sea to Turkey's Bosphorus strait and off to world markets. He added the deal had been successful in bringing food prices down and boosting export quantities.

☆ Ukraine accuses Russia of blocking full implementation of grain deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Oct 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine said seven vessels sailed off from its ports on Sunday carrying grain bound for Asia and Europe, but accused Russia of blocking the full implementation of Black Sea grain deal. "Russia is deliberately blocking the full realisation of the Grain Initiative. The agreement, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July, paved the way for Ukraine to resume grain exports from Black Sea ports that had been shut since Russia invaded. Ethiopia, Yemen and Afghanistan -- these three countries have already received foodstuffs thanks to our exports and the U.N.'s food programme." The deal eased a world food crisis, but as more shippers have joined, the handful of inspection teams has fallen behind.

☆ Haiti gang blockade is causing catastrophic hunger, U.N. officials say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-14 | by ( Brian Ellsworth | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"We have for the first time a famine present in Haiti," Ulrika Richardson, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the U.N. system in Haiti, said in a telephone interview. A U.N. spokesperson later clarified that Richardson should have described the situation as catastrophic hunger rather than famine. Richardson said other countries need to do more to support Haiti, as the Caribbean country's humanitarian response plan for this year has received less then 30% of the required funding. The situation was "close to breaking point", Jean-Martin Bauer, World Food Program country director in Haiti, told reporters earlier. U.S. development agency USAID on Friday sent a Disaster Assistance Response Team to Haiti, the agency's chief, Samantha Power, wrote on Twitter.

The United Nations warned at the beginning of September that two districts were projected to face famine between October and December, with more than half a million children in Somalia at risk of dying from malnutrition. A previous screening in June and July found 28.6% of children in the camps were suffering from acute malnutrition, including 10.2% with severe cases. The last four rainy seasons in the Horn of Africa region have failed, making this the worst drought in 40 years. An IPC Famine Review Committee of four to six independent experts is responsible for approving any famine declaration. In Somalia's last famine in 2011, half of the more than 250,000 victims were later determined to have died before the famine was officially declared.

☆ Nearly 6 million older adults are living below the poverty line. These resources can help struggling seniors
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The difference means that nearly 6 million older adults are struggling to make ends meet. Apply for food benefitsPixelseffect | E+ | Getty ImagesMany seniors aren't taking advantage of all the food assistance available to them, experts say. A 2015 study found that less than half of eligible seniors participated in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. In addition, those enrolled in Medicare Part D, which covers prescriptions, should look to see if they qualify for Extra Help. The council also has a guide called You Gave, Now Save, including information on the most generous benefits that help older people with expenses like their phone bill and property taxes.

☆ Haiti looting caused loss of some $6 million in relief supplies, WFP says
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Sept 26 (Reuters) - Looting in Haiti this month led to the loss of at least $6 million of relief assistance including 2,000 tonnes of food, a World Food Programme official said on Monday, as the Caribbean nation struggles with civil unrest and chronic gang violence. Protests flared across Haiti following Prime Minister Ariel Henry's Sept. 11 announcement of a fuel price increase, triggering protests and street violence that included the sacking of WFP warehouses. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com Register"We estimate that at least six million dollars worth of relief supplies were lost," said Guarnieri, adding that the looting affected other non-profit organizations and UN agencies. Haiti's government this month moved to cut fuel subsidies, citing their high cost, triggering outrage in a nation already struggling with record-high inflation. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Brian Ellsworth; Editing by Stephen CoatesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Analyst APK-Inform raises Ukraine's 2022 grain crop forecast
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterA pile of grain bags with relief that was sent from Ukraine is seen at the World Food Program (WFP) warehouse in Adama town, Ethiopia, September 8, 2022. REUTERS/Tiksa NegeriKYIV, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Ukraine's 2022 grain harvest could total between 54.1 to 55.7 million tonnes compared with a record 86 million tonnes due to the Russian invasion which has reduced the harvested area, analyst APK-Inform said on Saturday. The consultancy said in a report that the harvest could include 19 million tonnes of wheat, 30 million tonnes of corn and 5.5 million tonnes of barley. It said a smaller harvest and logistical difficulties could cut 2022/23 July-June exports to between 22.6 and 38.8 million tonnes. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Pavel Polityuk; Editing by David ClarkeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

"These defendants exploited a program designed to provide nutritious food to needy children during the COVID-19 pandemic." The alleged scheme was tied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Federal Child Nutrition Program aimed at feeding needy children. The program, which was expanded during the pandemic, allows private restaurants to run federally funded food distribution sites, as long as they are sponsored by a non-profit organization. Prosecutors said restaurant owners and others paid bribes to Feeding Our Future employees to get the organization to sponsor sham distribution sites. Defendants created dozens of shell companies to run the fake distribution sites and to launder the proceeds of the scheme, prosecutors said.

☆ Kenya: Drought and soaring grain prices fuel insecurity
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-02 | by ( Sam Kiley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Just as in west Africa, Kenya's problems are being deepened by climate change. A malnourished child being measured in Ileret, northern Kenya. Members of Akuagok's tribe, the Daasanach, crowded around her shouting their own stories of loss -- loss of friends to illness perhaps caused by hunger, loss of animals, and how now, even when they make a very little cash, it's never enough to get by. A mother feeding her malnourished child in Ileret, northern Kenya. The combination of drought, soaring food and fuel prices due to a distant war, a burgeoning population, and civil wars on Kenya's doorstep is an incendiary mix.

În scrisoarea deschisă în sprijinul apelului ONU pentru a evita foametea în 2021, publicată de Guardian, organizațiile umanitare scriu că „oamenii nu se înfometează, sunt lăsați să moară de foame”. Mai mult de 34 de milioane de oameni sunt pe punctul de a deveni victime ale foametei dacă nu se iau măsuri urgente, mai scriu semnatarii scrisorii. Responsabilitatea de a lua aceste măsuri este a statelor”. Statele trebuie să oprească creșterea inegalităților și să ia măsuri politice pentru stoparea conflictelor, principala cauză a foemetei și o barieră pentru asigurarea necesităților de bază, afirmă ONG-urile umanitare. „Este imperativ să ne unim vocile pentru a obține atenția internațională pe care o merită această cauză, înainte de a fi prea târziu”.

Persons: Guardian, Foamete, David Beasley Organizations: ONU, World Food Locations: Yemen, Afganistan, Etiopia, Sudanul de Sud, Burkina Faso, RD Congo, Honduras, Venezuela, Nigeria, Haiti, Republica Central Africană, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Sudan, Food, flămânzi, Statele

☆ Sute de organizații umanitare au întocmit o scrisoare deschisă către liderii lumii: „Oamenii nu se înfometează, sunt lăsați să moară de foame”
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-21 | by ( Onixmedia Srl | ) diez.md time to read: +4 min

Sute de organizații umanitare au întocmit o scrisoare deschisă către liderii lumii: „Oamenii nu se înfometează, sunt lăsați să moară de foame”scrisoare deschisă în care susțin un apel ONU la acțiune, spunând că pandemia de coronavirus a exacerbat conflictele, criza climatică și inegalitățile la nivel mondial. Liderii politici sunt chemați să ia măsuri pentru a pune capăt foametei care izbucnește în mai multe părți ale lumii, ca urmare a multiplelor crize declanșate de pandemie. În scrisoarea deschisă în sprijinul apelului ONU pentru a evita foametea în 2021, publicată de Guardian, citată de Digi24, organizațiile umanitare scriu că „oamenii nu se înfometează, sunt lăsați să moară de foame”. Statele trebuie să oprească creșterea inegalităților și să ia măsuri politice pentru stoparea conflictelor, principala cauză a foemetei și o barieră pentru asigurarea necesităților de bază, afirmă ONG-urile umanitare. „Este imperativ să ne unim vocile pentru a obține atenția internațională pe care o merită această cauză, înainte de a fi prea târziu”.

☆ Yemen crisis: How you can help
▼ + stars: | 2015-04-06 | by ( Cnn Staff | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Since Saudi-led coalition airstrikes and intense fighting began in Yemen in late March, it’s estimated that 600 people have been killed. The International Committee of the Red Cross called for an immediate 24-hour ceasefire, to allow humanitarian aid in the most needed areas. As fighting continues in Yemen, several organizations are trying to help provide food, water and medical supplies that are desperately needed. While groups are trying to deploy the necessary resources to Yemen, some have had to temporarily evacuate their staffs for security reasons. Here’s how you can help:Action Against HungerCAREDoctors Without BordersInternational Committee of the Red CrossInternational Rescue CommitteeMercy CorpsOxfam InternationalSave the ChildrenUNICEFUnited Nations FoundationWorld Food Programme

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