ROME – Fresh research by the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), released to coincide with World Food Day, shows food becoming ever less affordable in countries in conflict or subject to political instability. In dozens more countries, persistently high food costs are putting the hope of a nutritious meal beyond the reach of millions.

By José Graziano da Silva

This article is part of a series of opinion pieces to mark World Food Day October 16

José Graziano da Silva is Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Situation Update

• The death toll from the recent earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi now stands at 2,200, according to the latest press briefing from the National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB. A further 78,994 people have been displaced and 4,612 people have been severely injured, while 680 are still missing.

By Herve Verhoosel

This article is part of a series of opinion pieces to mark World Food Day October 16

Herve Verhoosel is Senior Spokesperson at the UN World Food Programme (WFP)

GENEVA, Oct 15 2018 (IPS) - How much would you expect to pay for the most basic plate of food? The kind of thing you might whip up at home – nothing fancy, just enough to fill you up and meet a third of today’s calorie needs. A soup, maybe, or a simple stew – some beans or lentils, a handful of rice, bread, or corn?

ABSTRACT