Page 20 - CMA Journal (Mar-Apr 2026)

In recent years, global shocks have appeared frequently, and clean water, and
which include: COVID-19, Ukraine-Russia War, Gaza-Israel g o o d q u a l i t y o f
War, and the ongoing USA-Israel-Iran con ict. Food security foods.
in developing countries is a critical challenge because of
4) Stability in the
limited resources, modern technologies, environmental Foods' Market: This
factors, external pressure, debt level, political instability,
structural incompetence. Pakistan as a developing country is factor makes food
also facing food insecurity despite being an agrarian country market stability for
because of all the above-stated reasons. In this article, we will people who need it on
focus on the food security under global shocks like a daily or regular basis
pandemics, oods, climate change, world economy's without any hurdles
uncertainty, most importantly the current Middle East like economic crisis, Muhammad Tanveer Ul
Con ict. After a comprehensive analysis, we will conclude pandemics, natural Qamar, FCMA
with policy change recommendations to address these disasters or wars in the CEO, Allied Financials
issues for better food security. region.
Introduction
Global Shocks as Major Threat to Food Security
Food Security is not only a national level issue; it is a major
problem at international level and exists in mostly Global shocks such as pandemics, wars or con icts are major
threats for food security because they create
developing and under developed countries. It is most
important for human survival in this world and linked with unemployment, business closure, an upward trend in
economic stability and national security for all countries. in ation, supply disturbances which ultimately increase the
That's why there are many international organizations hunger in the region. COVID-19 started in 2019 and
working to improve food security which includes FAO (Food continued until 2021 and in this period the supply of food
and Agriculture Organization) under United Nations and was badly disrupted and in ation was at peak in the whole
IOFS (International Organization for Food Security) under world. Post pandemic, it was not easy to return to normal
OIC. Despite the strong efforts of these organizations, the food supplies because due to economic crisis, purchasing
global shocks like Covid-19 and the current Middle East power declined and prices increased sharply.
Con ict are two major shocks for food security in world.
The Gaza-Israel war caused borders to close since October
Framework of Food Security 2023 and food supply was blocked because major

The framework of food security consists of four factors: infrastructure was damaged; agriculture and irrigation
system was destroyed. There was a controlled or blocked
1) Availability of Foods: The most important factor is
availability of food in the country for the entire supply of food, medicines, fuel, and other necessities of life
population. The availability of food can be in the form of during war which resulted in a sharp increase in food prices
crops grown in the country, imported food items, and and economic breakdown. There was shortage of clean
their storage for future usage. water due to destruction of infrastructure. Ultimately, food
insecurity was created and people were dying due to food
2) Access of Foods: It is the second factor of food security
to ensure access to food for the people of the country. shortages. Major portion of population now depends upon
The word access here means that all people can buy AID. The long-term consequences of this war include
food at reasonable or affordable prices without any agricultural land destruction that will take time to recover,
hurdles anytime. The people must have sources of difficulty in food production due to soil damaged by
income like jobs or businesses which enable them to explosions, malnutrition impact on major population of
buy food at market prices. region.
3) Utilization of Foods: Another important factor of food The Ukraine – Russia war made a large impact on major
security is the utilization of foods in a proper manner. All portion of world because both countries are major exporter
humans need proper nutrition for better health, safe of wheat, maize, corn, barley, and sun ower oil.

ICMA’s Chartered Management Accountant, Mar-Apr 2026 18