On the continent of Africa, we are in the midst of the worst hunger crisis in decades.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the ripple effects of the war in Ukraine have caused sky-rocketing food prices. Russia and Ukraine are key players in the global agricultural trade, and fourteen African countries depend on Russia and Ukraine for more than half of their wheat imports. The crisis in Ukraine threatens to place an extreme burden on African households – many of which were already struggling to put food on the table. Higher food prices mean that fewer African households will be able to afford a single decent daily meal. As a result of this food crisis, millions will be in danger of malnutrition and deepened poverty.

Locally, ethnic conflict and the reality of armed groups and gangs continues to wreak havoc on communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. These flare-ups endanger the peace and security of people and cause massive displacement of the population without sufficient humanitarian assistance. Furthermore, this situation gives rise to ethnic hatred, calls of violence and revenge, and discrimination based on physical appearance against some of our fellow citizens.

André Sibomana,

CBM Team Lead, Africa