IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned on April 10 that global supply disruptions could push another 45 million people into hunger, raising the worldwide total of undernourished people beyond 360 million.
Georgieva said transport disruptions and sharply higher fertiliser prices are worsening food insecurity. Shortages of refined products such as diesel and jet fuel have disrupted the movement of food and essential goods across borders. Oil refinery shutdowns have become a critical concern, as refineries must maintain minimum flow rates to operate safely.
“Warning signs are flashing red in many far-flung places,” she cautioned, pointing to stress across energy systems that underpin global trade and food distribution.
Beyond fuel, Georgieva flagged wider industrial disruptions to sulphur-based chemical supply chains — with direct knock-on effects for fertiliser availability globally.
In a related warning, the World Food Programme said Lebanon is facing a food security crisis as the Iran war disrupts supply chains inside the country, compounding damage from Israeli strikes.
Policy warning
Georgieva urged governments not to “pour gasoline on the fire,” calling on policymakers to reject go-it-alone measures such as export controls and price caps. She said central banks should emphasise their commitment to price stability while remaining cautious, and fiscal authorities should provide targeted, temporary support to vulnerable groups.
The warnings carry direct relevance for Sri Lanka, which is managing fertiliser subsidies under a Rs. 100 billion relief package while facing elevated imported food prices. The Sri Lankan delegation is due at the IMF Spring Meetings in Washington next week, where these supply shock dynamics will frame discussions on the country’s staff-level agreement.
