UNITED NATIONS, The World Food Programme (WFP), a Rome-based United Nations (UN) agency, Tuesday warned that famine could become a reality for millions of people around the world, without urgent funding to stave off a catastrophe, and without access to families cut-off by conflict.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am heartbroken at what we\u2019re facing in 2021. We now have four countries where famine-like conditions are present,\u201d WFP\u2019s Executive Director David Beasley said while addressing WFP\u2019s Executive Board.<\/p>\n
\u201cMeanwhile 41 million people are literally knocking on famine\u2019s door. If you look at the numbers, it\u2019s just tragic \u2013 these are real people with real names. I am extremely concerned,\u201d he warned.<\/p>\n
He described the situation as \u201cjust tragic\u201d, as \u201cthese are real people with real names.\u201d
\nThe WFP said 584,000 people are already experiencing famine-like conditions in Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Sudan and Yemen.<\/p>\n
Nigeria and Burkina Faso are also of particular concern as they have pockets where famine-like conditions are present.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn Somalia in 2011, 260,000 people died of hunger \u2013 and by the time the famine was actually declared \u2013 half of that number had already died,\u201d Beasley recalled. \u201cWe can\u2019t debate the numbers to death when people need our help now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hunger has risen due to conflict, climate change and economic shocks, the WFP said. However, soaring prices for basic foods have also compounded the situation, with the global cost of maize rising almost 90 per cent year-on-year, for example.<\/p>\n
In many countries, currency depreciation is also a factor, the agency added. This has driven prices even higher, stoking food insecurity in places such as Lebanon, Nigeria, Sudan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n
The WFP said it is this year mounting its biggest operation ever, targeting 139 million people. With sufficient funding and access, the agency said it can provide them with lifesaving food and nutritional assistance.<\/p>\n
Beasley underlined the urgent need for support.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to emphasize just how bad it is out there.<\/p>\n
Today, 41 million people are literally knocking on famine\u2019s door. The price tag to reach them is about $6 billion. We need funding and we need it now,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UNITED NATIONS, The World Food Programme (WFP), a Rome-based United Nations (UN) agency, Tuesday warned that famine could become a reality for millions of people around the world, without urgent funding to stave off a catastrophe, and without access to families cut-off by conflict. \u201cI […]<\/p>\n
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