The UN World Food Program has just sounded the alarm, warning that famine could threaten twice as many vulnerable people because of the economic repercussions related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Already a few weeks ago, a joint press release from the WHO, the WTO and the FAO warned of a potential risk of food shortages on a global scale linked to the pandemic. A cry of alarm shared by David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Program (WFP). Speaking this Tuesday during a virtual session of the United Nations Security Council, the leader did not go through all the stops to express his concerns.
“Forgive me for speaking bluntly, but I would like to explain very clearly what the world is facing right now , did he declare. Alongside the COVID-19 pandemic is also looming a hunger pandemic . There are no famines yet , he added. But I must warn you that if we don't prepare and act now – to ensure access to food, avoid funding shortfalls and disruptions to trade – we could face multiple famines to biblical proportions in a matter of months .
This speech by David Beasley comes just days after the publication by the WFP of a report revealing that, today, 821 million people do not have enough to eat in the world, while 135 million of them are in a situation of very severe food insecurity . This last assessment, already very heavy, he asserted, could be doubled by the end of the year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The regions of greatest concern identified by the report are Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan , Syria, Nigeria and Haiti.
These countries (and others), plagued by armed conflict, political instability, economic crises and natural disasters, could see these factors worsen at as the world deals with the economic fallout from the pandemic.
There is nevertheless a silver lining. The WFP explains that it has already accumulated several months of food and supplies in anticipation of a possible crisis. It also plans to set up a new logistics network to facilitate humanitarian supplies. But to finance it, the organization needs additional funds (at least two billion dollars). A call for donations from global partners has therefore been launched.
“I am confident that with our expertise and partnerships, we can bring together the teams and programs needed to ensure the Covid-19 pandemic does not become not a humanitarian catastrophe and a food crisis concluded David Beasley.
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