A new report finds world hunger surged to a record high in 2021 — even before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year exacerbated a global food crisis. The EU and the United Nations released the Global Report on Food Crises Wednesday. It finds 193 million people in 53 countries or territories faced acute food insecurity last year. That’s a 40% rise from the previous record level set in 2020. Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Sudan and Yemen suffered the highest levels of hunger. Speaking during a visit to Nigeria’s capital Abuja, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said Wednesday 2022 is poised to set new records for world hunger as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupts wheat production and pushes global food prices even higher.

Secretary-General António Guterres: “There is really no true solution to the problem of global food security without bringing back the agriculture production of Ukraine and the food and fertilizer production of Russia and Belarus into world markets despite the war. And I am determined to do everything to facilitate a dialogue that can help achieve this objective.”