In the last week, Pakistan has faced a shortage of essential items, especially flour and rice.
Hotels have been shut down by the owners, and residents are trying to get supplies for their families.
The government is trying to deal with the issue.
We do not know what is causing the acute shortage. The government has stopped the public distribution system because the government does not have money to support the program. Enough stocks are not available in the open market.
Some people think that the floods of last year destroyed the crops, leading to a shortage this year. Some people think that Pakistan’s government is trying to save dollars by curbing (reducing) imports, leading to this shortage.
To help Pakistan, Germany and France have pledged 10 million dollars each, while Russia has sent 350,000 tonnes of wheat to help. ADB (Asian Development Bank) has also pledged support of 2.3- 2.5 billion dollars.
South Africa
South Africa is dealing with shortage of electricity.
South Africa is the continent’s most industrialised country.
Power shortages mean that industry is not able to operate.
To deal with the issue, the South African president, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, will not travel to Davos to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF).
The issue has been steadily growing for more than a decade. The country is dependent on coal plants. The coal plants have grown old and need repair/maintenance, for which the power companies do not have money.