And the situation could worsen with millions being pushed into poverty forcing them to seek its help.

With the major exporters, including India, banning rice exports, shortages are expected to be felt around the world.

Soaring food prices -- up 55 per cent from June 2007 to February 2008, and dwindling global food stocks due to more world food consumption than production are seriously threatening the United Nations ability to keep millions from starvation.

Growing demand for bio-fuels, needs of rising population, growing middle class in India and China with increasing purchasing power and erratic weather are among the reasons that have pushed the food prices up to the level where 100 million people are being pushed into extreme poverty needing international help at a time when international donors are signs of fatigue.

Reports from across the world show that some non governmental organizations are already cutting their aid programmes which could put further pressure on the UN.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) says it can buy 40 per cent less food than it could last June with the same contribution.

WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran, in a video conference from Rome, voiced concern that as many as 100 million people face being pushed deeper into poverty, noting that rice prices in Asia have doubled in the last month alone.

"We're also concerned because this isn't just an issue of hunger, but also an issue of instability," Sheeran said, as protests against soaring food prices were held in dozens of countries.

The additional challenge is of adequate supply, with at least 40 countries imposing export bans on food, impacting importing countries, which are most affected by the food.

Source: By DDNEWS