The hungry stomachs of the masses due to surging food prices in all parts of the world will trigger unrest and threaten global security.

This is a reality that anyone who seems hopeless and could not afford to eat three times a day will find any way to get some food on the table to survive. Such scenario will be very much apparent to poor countries that have never tasted a glimpse of quality life.

Sir John Holmes, undersecretary general for humanitarian affairs and the UN’s emergency relief coordinator, may be very busy now in monitoring outbreaks of riots and protests erupting due to the escalating prices of basic goods.

The trends of soaring fuel prices, global warming threatening the nations’ environment and surging food prices – as these three major problems simultaneously occurring, I am having second thoughts of what future is ahead of us. Is there a way out to this somewhat limbo setting? What steps are we implementing to combat the detrimental effects of these crises?

Several reports are already in the headlines pointing fingers to wrong policies or strategies or perhaps many nations are shocked for these “disasters” and remain in the wait-and-see attitude of what better steps to implement in their respective countries.

Governments have to create immediate, short-term plan in reducing the impact of what we are experiencing now. Food supply should be monitored and seek other neighboring countries some assistance to sustain whatever is missing in a particular country. Whatever can be conserved should be placed in the plan of action. Through these, we are helping to mitigate possible rising of crime rates and protestations in the streets.

We may be in trying times, but if we will help each other then all these things will come to pass.

Guardian