In its new analysis, the World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) focused on countries and regions (hotspots) facing severe food insecurity and hunger crises.
He stressed that unless urgent action is taken to deliver relief to those in need, address violent conflicts and remove obstacles to humanitarian aid, the scope of the hunger crisis will increase and mass deaths will occur.
According to the report, famine has been declared in Zamzam camp in North Darfur province of Sudan. The risk of famine is also increasing in other parts of the war-torn country.
At the same time, UN agencies in Gaza say the possibility of famine remains, with a major factor being the inability of humanitarian aid to reach impoverished communities. At the same time, there are challenging situations in Haiti, Mali and South Sudan.
A ceasefire is needed
FAO Director-General Qi Dongyu said the ceasefire needs to be implemented as soon as possible for humanitarian reasons to save lives and avoid hunger and malnutrition.
This includes providing nutritious food to the Palestinian population and resuming food production at the local level.
The UN agency’s executive director, Cindy McCain, appealed to world leaders for help to reach millions of people at risk of starvation.
At the same time, we must find diplomatic solutions to violent conflicts, ensure the safety of humanitarian aid workers, and mobilize resources to stop the global hunger crisis before it spreads.
Alerts for 22 countries
In an analysis by UN agencies, 22 countries have been declared ‘hotspots’ in terms of hunger, where the problem of not getting enough food is likely to worsen due to violent conflicts, economic crises and climate disasters.
The United Nations Meteorological Agency has warned that the effects of the ‘La Nina’ climate could disrupt rainfall patterns, affecting agriculture in sensitive areas.
Nigeria, South Sudan and other southern African countries are at risk of flooding due to ‘La Nina’ effects, while dry conditions in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia will pose a risk to food systems.
Haiti, Mali, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, South Sudan and Sudan are among the five most affected, as are Chad, Lebanon, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Syria and Yemen.
But there are deep concerns.