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| Coronavirus: World risks 'biblical' famines due to pandemic - UN | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| The world is at risk of widespread famines "of biblical proportions" caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the UN has warned. | The world is at risk of widespread famines "of biblical proportions" caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the UN has warned. |
| David Beasley, head of the World Food Programme (WFP), said urgent action was needed to avoid a catastrophe. | David Beasley, head of the World Food Programme (WFP), said urgent action was needed to avoid a catastrophe. |
| A report estimates that the number suffering from hunger could almost double from 135m to more than 250m. | A report estimates that the number suffering from hunger could almost double from 135m to more than 250m. |
| Those most at risk are in 10 countries affected by conflict, economic crisis and climate change, the WFP says. | Those most at risk are in 10 countries affected by conflict, economic crisis and climate change, the WFP says. |
| The fourth annual Global Report on Food Crises highlights Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti. | The fourth annual Global Report on Food Crises highlights Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti. |
| In South Sudan, 61% of the population was affected by food crisis last year, the report says. | In South Sudan, 61% of the population was affected by food crisis last year, the report says. |
| Even before the pandemic hit, parts of East Africa and South Asia were already facing severe food shortages caused by drought and the worst locust infestations for decades. | Even before the pandemic hit, parts of East Africa and South Asia were already facing severe food shortages caused by drought and the worst locust infestations for decades. |
| Addressing the UN Security Council during a video conference, Mr Beasley said the world had to "act wisely and act fast". | Addressing the UN Security Council during a video conference, Mr Beasley said the world had to "act wisely and act fast". |
| "We could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months," he said. "The truth is we do not have time on our side." | "We could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months," he said. "The truth is we do not have time on our side." |
| In a call to action, he added: "I do believe that with our expertise and our partnerships, we can bring together the teams and the programmes necessary to make certain the Covid-19 pandemic does not become a human and food crisis catastrophe." | In a call to action, he added: "I do believe that with our expertise and our partnerships, we can bring together the teams and the programmes necessary to make certain the Covid-19 pandemic does not become a human and food crisis catastrophe." |
| The WFP's senior economist, Arif Husain, said the economic impact of the pandemic was potentially catastrophic for millions "who are already hanging by a thread". | The WFP's senior economist, Arif Husain, said the economic impact of the pandemic was potentially catastrophic for millions "who are already hanging by a thread". |
| "It is a hammer blow for millions more who can only eat if they earn a wage," he said in a statement. | "It is a hammer blow for millions more who can only eat if they earn a wage," he said in a statement. |
| "Lockdowns and global economic recession have already decimated their nest eggs. It only takes one more shock - like Covid-19 - to push them over the edge. We must collectively act now to mitigate the impact of this global catastrophe." | "Lockdowns and global economic recession have already decimated their nest eggs. It only takes one more shock - like Covid-19 - to push them over the edge. We must collectively act now to mitigate the impact of this global catastrophe." |
| Earlier this month, this WFP said it was set to halve aid to parts of war-torn Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels due to a funding crisis. | Earlier this month, this WFP said it was set to halve aid to parts of war-torn Yemen controlled by Houthi rebels due to a funding crisis. |
| It said some donors had stopped their aid over concerns that deliveries were being obstructed by Houthi forces. | It said some donors had stopped their aid over concerns that deliveries were being obstructed by Houthi forces. |
| The WFP feeds more than 12 million Yemenis a month, 80% of whom are in areas controlled by Houthi forces. | The WFP feeds more than 12 million Yemenis a month, 80% of whom are in areas controlled by Houthi forces. |
| Yemen confirmed its first case of Covid-19 earlier this month, with aid agencies warning that the disease could quickly overwhelm the country's weakened health systems. | Yemen confirmed its first case of Covid-19 earlier this month, with aid agencies warning that the disease could quickly overwhelm the country's weakened health systems. |