UN Warns of Severe Famine in 16 Countries, 4 Arab States

The United Nations (UN) has warned of the severe famine in twenty countries across the world, four Arab states are among those countries. The famine-hit countries include Yemen, South Sudan, and the south part of Nigeria. The UN released a statement that says that most of the starved countries located in Africa.

But shortage in food threatens many other countries in Asia such as Afghanistan, the Middle East ( Syrian and Lebanon), Latin America, and the Caribbean area ( Haiti ).

The UN stressed that some 34  million people were forced to live in very bad conditions because they either lose food security or face absolute starvation.

There is an expected increase in losing food security over the period from March through July this year springs from the destructive effects of factors such as armed conflicts, Coronavirus ( known also as COVID-19), and climate change throughout the recent years.

David Beasley, Director-General of the World Food Program (WFP) said that a disaster is occurring in front of us as a result of conflicts, climate shocks, and Coronavirus.

He added that starvation threatens millions of households across the planet.

He stated that the donors should pay $ 5.5 billion to fund that urgent humanitarian aid.

On the other hand, Thomson Ferry, a spokesman for the World Food Program (WFP), affiliated with the United Nations (UN)  said that lack of funding has forced the international organization to reduce food rations distributed in Somalia by 50% since February this year.

The organization warned of expectations that the food security situation there will worsen due to climate shocks,   economic disruptions, civil war, and the disappearance of a strong central government.

The spokesman mentioned that an estimated 5.9 million people – nearly half of the population – in Somalia need immediate humanitarian assistance with the food program, which provides food aid to 1.3 million people.

The international official noted that the organization urgently needs $ 172 million to continue its operations in the country at the levels.