Fertilizer blockage in the Gulf raises fears of a “major humanitarian crisis” | Radio-Canada

The persistent blockage of fertilizers in the Strait of Hormuz risks causing within “a few weeks” a “major humanitarian crisis”, the head of a UN working group responsible for freeing the passage of these crucial materials told AFP on Monday.

We have a few weeks to avoid what will likely be a major humanitarian crisis. We could see a crisis that pushes 45 million more people into hungerdeclared Jorge Moreira da Silva in an interview withAFP.

Iran has been blocking the Strait of Hormuz for several months, through which a third of the world’s fertilizers have been transiting for months, in retaliation for the war launched by the United States and Israel on February 28. Exports usually passing through this strategic passage of global maritime trade are generally destined for Brazil, China, India and Africa.

The Secretary General of theHIMAntonio Guterres, created a working group in March, led by the executive director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Jorge Moreira da Silva, to establish a mechanism to allow the passage of fertilizers and related raw materials, such as ammonia, sulfur and urea.

Mr. Moreira da Silva said he met more than 100 countries to rally the support of member states of theHIM to this mechanism. But the parties involved in the conflict – the United States, Iran and the Gulf countries – are not yet convinced.

Sowing season

The problem is that the sowing season doesn’t waitunderlines Mr. Moreira da Silva, some sowing ending in a few weeks in African countries.

He estimates that the passage of five ships loaded with fertilizer and related raw materials per day would avoid a crisis for farmers.

It’s a question of time. If we do not quickly address the source of the crisis, we will have to manage the consequences with humanitarian aid.

If agreed, the mechanism could be operational in seven days, says the UN official. But, even if the strait reopened immediately, it would take, according to him, three to four months for a return to normal.

Although food prices have not yet exploded, Mr. Moreira da Silva notes a sharp increase of the cost of fertilizers. Experts estimate that it will automatically lead to a drop in agricultural productivity, then a surge in food prices.

We cannot procrastinate on what is possible and urgent: allowing the passage of fertilizers across the strait and thus minimizing the risk of serious global food insecurityhe insists.