Biden, G-7 Leaders Pledge $4.5 Billion in Aid for Global Food Security: White House

President Joe Biden and leaders from G-7 nations on Tuesday pledged to contribute billions of dollars in aid to address global food security prompted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement, the White House said that over half of the $4.5 billion contribution will come from the United States.

Biden will also announce an additional $2.76 billion in humanitarian and economic assistance which will help support 47 countries that are home to the world’s most vulnerable populations, according to the statement, and “mitigate the impacts of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war in Ukraine on growing food insecurity and malnutrition.”

Of the additional $2.76 billion in government assistance, $2 billion will go toward life-saving interventions in areas facing immediate hunger or famine.

The other $760 million would be invested in “sustainable near-term food assistance” to help prevent further increases in poverty and hunger in vulnerable countries that are being hit hard by increases in the price of food, fertilizer, and fuel.

Up to 40 million more people could be pushed into poverty in 2022 as a result of the war in Ukraine, according to the White House.

“While the entire globe will continue to be affected by Russia’s actions, the most immediate needs will present in the Horn of Africa, as it experiences a record-setting fourth straight season of drought, that may lead to famine,” the statement reads. “As many as 20 million people may face the threat of starvation by the end of the year. The prolonged drought is also having dire nutrition impacts, putting children at severe risk of malnutrition and in need of treatment.”

‘Unjustifiable War of Aggression Against Ukraine’

In addition to the billions of dollars in funding from the Biden administration, the U.S. Agency for International Development is also committing $2 billion in international disaster assistance funds that will go toward emergency humanitarian needs over the next three months.

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