rnult iJ-at eral system of paynent s ard in the United Nations and I'Iorld Bank organizations. Importairt- sections and main stations of the international tel ecommunicat ions system via cable and' satel].ite 'wou1d also be out of order along rrith major urban areas in Xurope. 252. Food lroufd be in very short supply' especially after some time r^/hen the shortages of fertilizers hld reduced- ine yiela in most parts of the vorld' These fertilizer shortages uoufd be nuch more severe in this scenario' The result night well be that hundreds of rnillions would starve to death' The globa] disaster would be further aggravated by the scarcity of transport equiprnent, phanuceuticals and pesticides, which would increase the hcrror aJrd the plagues ' /-..Al35/392 nnelish Annex Page 89 ?53' All surviving countries tTying to switch over their donestic production to anincreased 1evel of self-suffici ency would have to accomprish this change in a racelrith tine before stocks ran out comlretely. A failure to achieve viability (i.e. procluction at least eq,ual-1ing con"l-ptlon nlus depreclation) woulo resultin manv ad.ditional deaths and. nuch acldit iona.r" economic, politicar and sociald'eterioration. Thus a rlownvard. self-feeding spiral nighi start. rfhich way theeconon.. in a' larticular region or country "or-,ri go is unpredictable, hovever, 25\' The discussion above has focused. on a few quantifiable iterns. rt mustbe boxne in roind, hovever, that there are innr:merabl_e other aspects to beinvestigated, sone of an intangibr-e nature and .ii "i"t 
**Analysis**
The text describes a hypothetical scenario where a global catastrophe affects the world's food production, transportation, and communication systems. The discussion focuses on the severe consequences of such an event, including widespread starvation, economic collapse, and social unrest. The text highlights the importance of self-sufficiency and the need for countries to adapt quickly to new circumstances. The scenario is primarily concerned with the global food system and its interconnectedness with other critical infrastructure.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Humanitarian aid and relief