The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has taken decisive measures to mitigate the impact of food crisis in the region engendered by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Mr. Sekou Sangare, the Commissioner in charge of Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission stated this in his presentation at the First Ordinary Session 2022 of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to the Commissioner, the direct effect of the Ukrainian crisis, has in reality, worsened food insecurity during the current lean season with more than 20% of the population of the region to be affected if nothing is done.
The ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia has negatively impacted food and nutritional situation worldwide especially in countries within the sub region.
He further noted that the war has worsened the grain deficit in the region particularly the disruption of food supply chain, which has multiplier effect on rise in food prices and the prices of fertilizers, of which the two countries in conflict are major suppliers on the international markets and majority of ECOWAS member countries.
Presentation his paper titled: ECOWAS Initiatives in Agriculture, Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Sangare, said; “the Commission is urgently mobilising internal financial resources to assist people affected by the crisis within the framework of social protection net projects.”
He further stated: “financial institutions in the region are also playing key role in mitigating food crisis in the region.
“Taking into account the urgency of food availability on the markets, the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development, EBID and other financial institutions are prepared to give favourable consideration requests for the emergency importation of basic foodstuffs by member countries.
According to him, modalities have been put in place to increase the physical capacities of the food security mechanism at the local national and regional levels.
From the decisions adopted 16 years ago, Mr Sangare said “ECOWAS member countries are encouraged to give fertilizers the status of strategic priority product without borders.”
The Commissioner further noted that additional measures are to grant boats and other means of transport facilities to avoid demurrage or any other obstacles on free movement of agriculture inputs within the ECOWAS region including Mali.
