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by AP May 28 2008   
May 29th, 2008

FOOD CRISIS THREATENS 22 COUNTRIES, U.N. SAYS

ROME, Italy (AP) -- Twenty-two nations are particularly threatened by the global food crisis that has seen soaring prices increase hunger, leading to protests and riots in some countries, the United Nations said Wednesday.

Prices of basic food stuffs are soaring.

A report prepared by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization for a summit in Rome next week said the countries are vulnerable because they suffer from chronic hunger and are forced to import food and fuel.

The report said Eritrea, Niger, Comoros, Haiti and Liberia are particularly affected.

The three-day conference that opens Tuesday is expected to draw a number of world leaders. The FAO said it will provide a "historic chance" to relaunch the fight against hunger and poverty and boost agricultural production in developing countries.

High oil prices, growing demand, flawed trade policies, panic buying and speculation have sent food prices soaring worldwide. Food riots have occurred in Haiti, Egypt and Somalia this year.

The crisis underlines "the fragility of the balance between global food supplies and the needs of the world's inhabitants," said the FAO's director-general, Jacques Diouf.

The report warned that the world must prepare for further sharp price increases and continued market volatility.

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