41 million people in 43 countries are at imminent risk of famine, with nearly 600,000 others in four countries already experiencing famine-like conditions, the World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.
“I am heartbroken at what we’re facing in 2021,” said WFP’s Executive Director David Beasley. “It’s just tragic – these are real people with real names.”
Wars, climate change and economic shocks have been driving the increase in hunger while soaring prices for basic items compound existing pressures on food security this year. Currency depreciation in countries such as Lebanon, Nigeria, Sudan, Venezuela and Zimbabwe is adding to these pressures and driving prices even higher, stoking food insecurity.
World food prices rose in May to their highest levels in a decade, UN figures show, with basics like cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar up a combined 40 percent versus year-ago levels. Global maize prices have soared almost 90 percent year-on-year, while wheat prices are up almost 30 percent over the same period.
The WFP says about 690 million people, go to bed hungry each night.
UN World Food Programme says 41 million on verge of famine | Hunger News | Al Jazeera
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