The projections for the most recent period mark a new phase of slower progress. Obstacles have included volatile commodity prices, higher food and energy prices, rising unemployment and economic recessions in the late 1990s and in 2008/2009. Frequent extreme weather events and natural disasters have also taken a considerable toll on lives and livelihoods, and eventually on progress towards global food security. In a growing number of countries, political instability and civil strife have aggravated the effects of natural disasters, resulting in numerous and significant humanitarian crises.