Mari Pangestu on the food price crisis

PLUS: The looming spate of debt crises. If you're having trouble reading this message, [click here]( [The World Bank logo]( [Photo credit: World Bank]( [Mari Pangestu: “There is no downplaying the blow that the war has dealt to food systems”]( As the devastating war in Ukraine rages on causing untold suffering, its impact is being felt far beyond its borders, battering a world emerging from a pandemic that has hit developing countries hardest. Among the most critical is the food price crisis. What can countries and the international community do to respond to this crisis? In her latest blog, the World Bank's Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships Mari Pangestu shares her top four priorities. [MORE BLOGS BY MARI]( Editor's Pick [Photo: William Potter/Shutterstock]( [Are we ready for the coming spate of debt crises?]( In a new blog by World Bank Global Director for Macroeconomics, Trade & Investment Marcello Estevão looks at the possibility of as many as 12 countries defaulting on their debt and explores the implications of this looming crisis, as well as what can be done to avoid it. [THE WORLD BANK & DEBT]( [Photo: World Bank]( [Civil Society Forum: April 4-15]( The Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) has become an integral part of the World Bank Group-International Monetary Fund Spring and Annual Meetings, providing an open space for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to dialogue and exchange views with World Bank Group and IMF staff, their peers, government delegations, and other stakeholders on a wide range of topics. This year’s spring forum will take place from April 4-15. [WORLD BANK/IMF SPRING MEETINGS]( Blog [Photo: Vincent Tremeau /World Bank]( [Is there a best way to target social assistance?]( Social protection programs help individuals and families escape poverty, mitigate and manage risks, and improve resilience and opportunity. Yet, most countries have limited resources for social protection interventions. Prioritizing populations most in need therefore becomes necessary and important. This blog explores insights from a new report on social assistance: [Revisiting Targeting in Social Assistance: A New Look at Old Dilemmas](. [DOWNLOAD REPORT]( Virtual Events and Broadcast Series [Photo: World Bank]( [Event: Silver Hues: Building Age-Ready Cities]( At this report launch, the team will prompt panelists to reflect on the question: “How can we plan, design, and create age-ready cities and towns for a silver-hued future—one in which older persons will increasingly outnumber younger ones in more and more countries?” Given the global pandemic, climate change, and the unique situation of older persons, inclusion has never been more important. [MORE EVENTS]( [Photo: World Bank ]( [Podcast: Learning from Data Innovation]( Data are vital for understanding the progress and impact of development strategies. New technologies coupled with increased computing power are creating opportunities for gathering and analyzing ever larger amounts of data from a greater range of sources. 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Even before COVID-19 reduced incomes and disrupted supply chains, chronic and acute hunger were on the rise due to various factors, including conflict, socio-economic conditions, natural hazards, climate change and pests. The impact of the war in Ukraine adds risk to global food security, with food prices likely to remain high for the foreseeable future. This brief looks at rising food insecurity and World Bank responses to date. [COMMODITIES PRICE INDEX]( Connect with us on social media! Accredited journalists may obtain advance access to reports and information by registering with the Bank's [Online Media Briefing Center]( a password-protected site for working journalists. Material in this newsletter is copyrighted. Requests to reproduce it, in whole or in part, should be addressed to pubrights@worldbank.org For more information visit our website: [worldbank.org](. 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