‘Marching towards starvation’: UN warns of hell on earth if Ukraine war goes on

Unprecedented food shortages could spark riots in dozens of countries as Black Sea blockade adds to pressures, says WFP chief

Dozens of countries risk protests, riots and political violence this year as food prices surge around the world, the head of the food-aid branch of the United Nations has warned.

Speaking in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on Thursday, David Beasley, director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), said the world faced frightening" shortages that could destabilise countries that depend on wheat exports from Ukraine and Russia.