Two United Nations food agencies have warned that millions more people could face famine as funding shortages worsen already dire humanitarian conditions around the world.
In a joint report released on Wednesday, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) said that conflict and v+olence were driving acute food insecurity in most of the countries identified as high-risk.
The agencies listed Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen as the worst-affected nations, “where populations face an imminent risk of catastrophic hunger.” Countries of “very high concern” include Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria, while Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, and the situation of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh were also highlighted.
“We are on the brink of a completely preventable hunger catastrophe that thr+atens widespread starvation in multiple countries,” warned WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain, adding that a failure to act “will only drive further instability, migration, and conflict.”
The report revealed that funding for humanitarian relief efforts was falling “d@ngerously short,” with only $10.5 billion received out of the $29 billion required to assist those most at risk.
As a result of these cuts, the WFP said it had been forced to reduce food aid for refugees and displaced people and suspend school feeding programmes in several countries.
The FAO also cautioned that agricultural support was at risk, warning that efforts to sustain food production were essential to prevent recurring crises. “Funding is needed for seeds and livestock health services,” the agency said, “before planting seasons begin or new shocks occur.”
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