Graining Ground: Six months of conflict in Ukraine

Six months have passed since Russia invaded Ukraine. 

The war has significantly disrupted global food chains, cutting off vital supplies of wheat, corn and other goods to communities across the Middle East.

Already dealing with currency crises, climate change and Covid-19, MENA communities are now contending with recording breaking price inflation and growing food insecurity. 

In this increasingly tense political and economic environment, what are the solutions to the looming food catastrophe in the Middle East? 

How can governments within the region ensure help reaches those needing it most, and what role must the international community play? 

This week, we speak with Patrick Mardini, CEO of the Lebanese Institute for Market Studies, and Nicole Robinson (@NRobinson1297) from the Heritage Foundation (@Heritage) about the Middle East’s dependency on exports from Russia and Ukraine. 

The World Food Programme’s (@WFP) County Director in Egypt, Praveen Agrawal (@Agrawal_P_K), also features in the episode, discussing the recent UN-brokered deal between Russia, Ukraine and Turkey to unlock grain shipments from the Black Sea. 

This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3) with help from Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil. 

Other music by Blue Dot Sessions. 

To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk.