The World Food Program (WFP) today warned that an estimated 270 million people are at risk of hunger due to conflicts, climate disasters and the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, which has led to increased levels of food insecurity.
In addition, the number of people already close to hunger has risen to 41 million, seven million more than expected at the start of the year, WFP spokesman Thomson Phiri told a news conference in Geneva.
“Without immediate emergency food aid, they could starve to death, as the slightest impact would put them on the brink of starvation,” Phiri said.
The UN has expressed particular concern about the situation in Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Sudan and Yemen, countries where 584,000 people may face severe hunger, as well as in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, where groups of people have been registered in recent months. situation.
Meanwhile, food prices continue to rise globally, in a situation that has not yet returned to normal and continues to deteriorate for developing countries, WFP warned.
“The cost of inaction in the face of these growing food needs will inevitably be measured in lives lost,” Phiri said.
In addition, the UN has warned of the long-term economic impact of hunger, which will lead to lower productivity and higher health care costs.
