At least 345 million people in 82 countries of the world are at risk of famine, said David Beasley, head of the United Nations Food Security Division.
According to Al-Jazeera, a meeting of the United Nations Security Council was held on Friday. In the meeting, he commented on the possible famine due to the world’s food crisis.
David Beasley said that at least 45 countries were experiencing famine just before the pandemic. The wave of hunger around the world before the pandemic has turned into a tsunami due to the impact of the pandemic. If the current rate of food prices continues, food shortages will start in different regions of the world in 2023. He called for quick action for this.
Since the Ukraine-Russia war since last February 24, the prices of food, fertilizers and fuel have increased several times around the world. Developed countries can overcome this crisis by spending extra money, but underdeveloped countries are at risk of severe famine. In addition, 70 million people are close to starvation due to the Ukraine-Russia war alone.
Martin Griffiths, head of the United Nations Humanitarian Aid Department, was also present in that meeting. He said that the increase in the price of food products has led to a humanitarian crisis in several poor countries in Asia and Africa, including Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
He also said, ‘Famine has already started in Somalia. In other countries the current situation is very dangerous even though famine has not yet started.
(September 16)