JAKARTA - It is estimated that the world will face double hunger in just a matter of months. This was conveyed directly by the UN-owned organization, the World Food Program (WFP). WFP also warned that the COVID-19 pandemic would threaten 130 million people to the brink of starvation.
Hunger is expected in more than 20 countries in a worst-case scenario, WFP Executive Director David Beasley said in a speech. Ten of those countries already have more than a million people on the brink of starvation.
The ten countries declared most at risk and have faced the worst food crisis since last year are Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti.
Reported by CNN, Thursday, April 23, Beasley said, conflict, economic recession, a decrease in the amount of aid, and falling oil prices as factors that might cause a large food shortage. He urged UN member states to take swift action to prevent this disaster.
"While tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also on the brink of a famine pandemic. There is also a real danger that more people could potentially die from the economic impact of COVID-19 than from the effects of the virus itself," Beasley told the UN security council.
WFP has warned, 2020 will be a devastating year for many countries due to poverty or war, with an additional 135 million people facing hunger. In fact, the number is expected to be even higher.
Their updated projection is almost double that figure. When added to the number of 821 million people who are already experiencing chronic hunger, that scenario would propel over a billion people into dire situations.
"It is critical we come together as one united global community to defeat this disease." - @WFPChief stresses need for unity as world faces dual threat of global health pandemic & humanitarian catastrophe amid # COVID19 crisis. https://t.co/DijUIGVJOO
- United Nations (@UN) April 22, 2020
The agency identified 55 countries most at risk of falling into famine in its annual report on the food crisis, released this week. The WFP also warned that these countries' fragile health care systems would not be able to cope with the impact of the virus.
"These countries may face an extraordinary atmosphere between saving lives or livelihoods. Or another possibility in the worst case scenario, which is saving people from the coronavirus to starve them to death," the report said.
Most countries have so far avoided the worst COVID-19 pandemic, with the epicenter moving from China to Europe and then North America. However, a poor health system, even a small outbreak can be devastating. To date, more than 2.5 million cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed globally.
Even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, food supplies in some of the world's most vulnerable areas were directly affected by other things such as crop failures and locust swarms.
Extreme drought followed by torrential rainfall significantly reduced seasonal crop yields in Africa during 2019.This irregular weather and climate patterns also contributed to the worst desert locust invasion in 25 years, further threatening crop supplies in the region. .
Meanwhile, the combination of conflict, climate-related shocks and crop pests has resulted in the worst food crisis in Yemen which is also the worst in the world. The new factors driving the hunger associated with COVID-19 are also numerous.
"The lockdown and economic recession are expected to cause massive income losses among the working poor," said Beasley.
In addition, the loss of income from the tourism sector will damage countries like Ethiopia. Falling oil prices in low-income countries such as South Sudan will also have a significant impact and encourage massive hunger.
"I have to warn you that if we don't prepare and act now, to secure access, avoid underfunding and trade disruptions. We could face a lot of hunger in a few short months. We don't have time, so let's act wisely and let's go. act fast, "said Beasley.
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