UN: Three million more people on the brink of famine

The number of people on the brink of famine has risen by three million within a year, warns the UN World Food Program (WFP). Earlier this year, there were 42 million people worldwide, now there are 45 million in 43 countries. In 2019, 27 million people were threatened by famine.

The sharp increase in a short period of time is largely due to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban took power. The WFP provides food aid to some 23 million people there.

The number of people in need of food aid is also increasing in Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, Angola, Kenya and Burundi. According to the WFP, conflict, climate change and Covid-19 are major causes of the increase.

“Fuel prices are soaring, food prices are skyrocketing, manure is more expensive. All of this is leading to new crises, such as in Afghanistan, but also exacerbating long-term emergencies such as in Yemen and Syria,” said WFP director David Beasley.

6 billion euros

The worldwide fight against famine is estimated to require around 6 billion euros, according to the WFP. Earlier this year, the costs were estimated at 5.7 billion euros.

“As the cost of humanitarian aid grows exponentially, we need more funds to reach families around the world who can no longer keep hunger at bay.”

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