FAO Warns over Food Prices
Volatility
PANAMA - The United Nations Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned
over the volatility of prices of basic food
products in Latin America, an issue that
will be discussed in the next regional
meeting.
The FAO Conference on Latin America and the
Caribbean set to be held in Panama April 26
through 30 will look precisely into this
tendency that is specially reflected in
food, according to a report released
Tuesday.
According to FAO regional representative,
Jose Graziana da Silva, this situation has
worsened "the problem of access to food for
large portions of vulnerable social groups
specially children, women and indigenous
peoples."
In terms of the economy, a recovery of the
crisis will be slow and gradual and may
leave lasting consequences in these
countries.
The group of factors - inflation,
unemployment, reduction of remittances, high
prices of food - has reduced real incomes in
the poorer sectors of the population
additionally hit by difficulties in
accessing proper food, FAO warned.
"This could cause irreversible effects for
millions of children who suffer or are in
risk of suffering acute and chronic
malnutrition," explained the official.
FAO estimates that the number of persons
suffering malnutrition in Latin America and
the Caribbean will reach 53 million, similar
to estimates from the 1980-1992 period.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
