Russian Invasion Intensifies World Food Crises
Putin’s military campaign against Ukraine has endangered the increasingly fragile world food supply leaving millions facing famines.
QUICK READ: Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated the stress in the world’s food supply. Millions of poor people from the Middle East to Asia and from Africa to the Caribbean are facing acute shortages of basic foodstuffs as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a major food supplier, and their blockade of exports of grain from Ukraine. The U.S. government has committed to protecting Ukraine’s frail democracy. It, along with other Western governments, must also provide massive food aid to forestall a famine in countries already suffering from droughts, unprecedented heatwaves and Covid.
TAKE ACTION NOW:
BACKGROUND
The world is facing a ”perfect food storm.” Even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the world’s agricultural distribution system was broken and millions of poor people suffered long-term food insecurity. Climate change, which is driving acute heat waves, droughts, and other catastrophic events, has left millions from India to Haiti and from Somalia to Indonesia on the verge of starvation.
Historically, Ukraine was one of the world’s most important breadbaskets. It exported 12% of global wheat,16% of global corn, and 46% of global sunflower oil.
Putin’s invasion has subverted Ukraine’s ability to plant, harvest, and export these basic foods. Not only have the Russians destroyed fields and agricultural equipment, but they have robbed warehouses, bombed food centers and blocked Ukrainian exports from the Back Sea.
The effects have been immediate and far-reaching. The United Nations reports that 125 million people are on the brink of starvation, and the sharp increase in prices, moreover, makes it difficult for humanitarian agencies to purchase adequate basic commodities ---inviting social unrest.
We call on Congress to pass the $33 billion Biden request for aid to Ukraine and simultaneously increase food aid substantially to areas of the world in peril.
ACTION One: Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Putin's war in Ukraine is exacerbating a global food crisis. I ask that you
- Immediately pass Biden’s $33 billion supplementary aid package
- Provide additional food aid and health assistance to vulnerable countries
SEN. WYDEN:
Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Putin's war in Ukraine is exacerbating a global food crisis. I ask that you
- Immediately pass Biden’s $33 billion supplementary aid package
- Provide additional food aid and health assistance to vulnerable countries
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
Putin's war in Ukraine is exacerbating a global food crisis. I ask that you
- Immediately pass Biden’s $33 billion supplementary aid package
- Provide additional food aid and health assistance to vulnerable countries
ACTION TWO: Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Putin's war in Ukraine is exacerbating a global food crisis. I ask that you
- Immediately pass Biden’s $33 billion supplementary aid package
- Provide additional food aid and health assistance to vulnerable countries
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Putin's war in Ukraine is exacerbating a global food crisis. I ask that you
- Immediately pass Biden’s $33 billion supplementary aid package
- Provide additional food aid and health assistance to vulnerable countries
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Putin's war in Ukraine is exacerbating a global food crisis. I ask that you
- Immediately pass Biden’s $33 billion supplementary aid package
- Provide additional food aid and health assistance to vulnerable countries
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Putin's war in Ukraine is exacerbating a global food crisis. I ask that you
- Immediately pass Biden’s $33 billion supplementary aid package
- Provide additional food aid and health assistance to vulnerable countries
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Putin's war in Ukraine is exacerbating a global food crisis. I ask that you
- Immediately pass Biden’s $33 billion supplementary aid package
- Provide additional food aid and health assistance to vulnerable countries
ACTION 3: GOOD TROUBLE
GOOD TROUBLE: Below are opportunities to fight for our democracy. As John Lewis said, go make some “good trouble.”
The Supreme Court extremists cannot be allowed to give government control over women’s reproductive freedom. To send this message to our courts and legislators, attend a “Bans Off Our Bodies” rally on Saturday, May 14. Click here to find a rally near you.
Find out more about Indivisible Oregon here.
TUESDAY 11:30am-12:30pm LETTER WRITING PARTY - INDIVISIBLE OREGON:
https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/442887/Fridays at 4 - Letter and Postcard Writing — Indivisible Oregon.
Learn about persuasive language and communication research at the Zoom ASO Movement Briefings every second Wednesday.
Join the campaign to hold the House and Senate at GiveNoGround.org
Work to protect democracy in the House by replacing retiring US Representative Peter DeFazio with another Democrat, replacing Democrat Kurt Schrader, the “Manchin of the House,” with a progressive, and electing a Democrat in Oregon’s new Congressional District 6.
Demand that your primary news source stop creating false equivalencies and just report the truth.
Check out the Poor People's Campaign Readies 'Massive, Nonviolent' Effort to Save Democracy
Outside of Portland? Check out COIN Oregon.
Rally inconsisent Democratic voters to vote in 2022 with Progressive Turnout Project | Feb, 2022 | Medium
FURTHER READING:
Approval for Biden Ukraine aid request likely after Pelosi Kyiv visit, McCaul says
Biden Seeks $33 Billion More in Aid for Ukraine - The New York Times
Ukraine/Russia: As War Continues, Africa Food Crisis Looms | Human Rights Watc
World Bank warns of 'human catastrophe' food crisis - BBC
Ukraine/Russia: As War Continues, Africa Food Crisis Looms
How Russia’s War in Ukraine Could Amplify Food Insecurity in the Mideast
