Coronavirus pandemic ‘may cause famine of biblical proportions’, UN food chief warns
4 years, 8 months ago

Coronavirus pandemic ‘may cause famine of biblical proportions’, UN food chief warns

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The coronavirus pandemic will cause multiple famines “of biblical proportions within a few short months”, the chief of the UN’s food relief agency has warned, plunging tens of millions into starvation unless immediate action is taken. World Food Programme executive director David Beasley said that even before the arrival of Covid-19, he had been warning world leaders 2020 would bring “the worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two”. An annual WFP report published on Tuesday estimated that 135 million people face “crisis-level” hunger 2020, with Mr Beasley telling the UN security council that deepening crises such as those in Yemen and Syria, more frequent natural disasters and changing weather patterns meant the world was “already facing a perfect storm”. Mr Beasley, who is recovering from Covid-19, said if those 30 million people cannot be reached, “our analysis shows that 300,000 people could starve to death every single day over a three-month period” – and that doesn’t include increased starvation due to the coronavirus.

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History of this topic

Famine Looms in Vulnerable Regions as Conflict and Climate Shocks Aggravate Food Insecurity
2 months, 1 week ago

Famine Looms in Vulnerable Regions as Conflict and Climate Shocks Aggravate Food Insecurity

Associated Press  

Severe food crises threaten hundreds of thousands of people in vulnerable areas worldwide. The report warns that conflicts, economic instability, and climate shocks are driving alarming levels of acute food insecurity, with immediate, scaled-up intervention needed to prevent further deterioration in these already vulnerable regions.

UN warns some 2.5 million Sudanese risk famine without more donations
3 months, 3 weeks ago

UN warns some 2.5 million Sudanese risk famine without more donations

The Independent  

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UN and US say food is on its way to a famine-stricken camp in Sudan
4 months, 2 weeks ago

UN and US say food is on its way to a famine-stricken camp in Sudan

The Independent  

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UN report says 282 million people faced acute hunger in 2023, with the worst famine in Gaza
8 months, 2 weeks ago

UN report says 282 million people faced acute hunger in 2023, with the worst famine in Gaza

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Nearly 282 million people in …

About 282 million people faced acute hunger last year: UN-led report
8 months, 2 weeks ago

About 282 million people faced acute hunger last year: UN-led report

Al Jazeera  

Gaza, Sudan and other conflicts – along with extreme weather and economic shocks – worsened food insecurity, says new report calling the global outlook ‘bleak’ for this year. Food insecurity worsened around the world in 2023, with about 282 million people suffering from acute hunger due to conflicts, particularly in Gaza and Sudan, according to United Nations agencies and development …

UN food agency says it has reports of people dying from starvation amid the conflict in Sudan
11 months ago

UN food agency says it has reports of people dying from starvation amid the conflict in Sudan

Associated Press  

CAIRO — The U.N. food agency said Friday it has received reports of people dying from starvation in Sudan, where raging fighting between rival generals is hampering the distribution of aid and food supplies to those most hungry. World Food Program said that some 18 million people across Sudan currently face acute hunger, with the most desperate trapped behind the …

"Unnecessary and unacceptable": Why the American hunger crisis could get worse in 2024
1 year, 1 month ago

"Unnecessary and unacceptable": Why the American hunger crisis could get worse in 2024

Salon  

Just a few days before Thanksgiving, new data from the Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey showed that nearly 28 million people reported experiencing food scarcity in October — both the highest number of 2023 and the highest number recorded by the survey since December 2020. Food insecurity experts deemed that prospect a “looming hunger cliff” — and again and again …

More than 700 million people don't know when — or if — they will eat again, UN food chief says
1 year, 3 months ago

More than 700 million people don't know when — or if — they will eat again, UN food chief says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain told the …

UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase
1 year, 3 months ago

UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase

Associated Press  

ROME — The World Food Program warned Tuesday that humanitarian funding cuts by governments are forcing the U.N. agency to drastically cut food rations to the world’s hungriest people, with each 1% cut in aid risking to push 400,000 people toward starvation. The agency said the more than 60% funding shortfall this year was the highest in WFP’s 60-year history …

Explained | What has to be done to get to Zero Hunger?
1 year, 5 months ago

Explained | What has to be done to get to Zero Hunger?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The Global Report on the Food Crises 2023 released recently estimated that between 691 million and 783 million people in the world suffered from hunger in 2022. The GRFC is produced by the Food Security Information Network in support of the Global Network against Food Crises, and involves 16 partners to achieve a joint consensus-based assessment …

UN agencies warn of starvation risk in Sudan, Haiti, Burkina Faso and Mali
1 year, 7 months ago

UN agencies warn of starvation risk in Sudan, Haiti, Burkina Faso and Mali

The Hindu  

Two U.N. agencies warned on Monday of rising food emergencies including starvation in Sudan due to the outbreak of war and in Haiti, Burkina Faso and Mali due to restricted movements of people and goods. The four countries join Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen at the highest alert levels, with communities that are already facing or projected to …

UN agencies warn of starvation risk in Sudan among other countries, call for urgent aid
1 year, 7 months ago

UN agencies warn of starvation risk in Sudan among other countries, call for urgent aid

Hindustan Times  

Two UN agencies warned Monday of rising food emergencies including starvation in Sudan due to the outbreak of war and in Haiti, Burkina Faso and Mali due to restricted movements of people and goods. The report warns that 1 million people are expected to flee Sudan, while an additional 2.5 million inside Sudan face acute hunger in the coming months …

‘Even deadlier…’: WHO chief warns of next pandemic as Covid-19 cases dip
1 year, 7 months ago

‘Even deadlier…’: WHO chief warns of next pandemic as Covid-19 cases dip

Hindustan Times  

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the world should be ready for the next pandemic, which might be “even deadlier” than the Covid-19 pandemic. Tedros's statement comes days after the WHO said Covid-19 was no longer a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating pandemic that has claimed at least 7 million lives worldwide. …

WHO, Believes Disease X Could Create A Pandemic Like Situation, All You Need To Know
1 year, 7 months ago

WHO, Believes Disease X Could Create A Pandemic Like Situation, All You Need To Know

News 18  

As the world gradually returns to a sense of normalcy following the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the scientific and public health communities remain steadfast in their preparations for future outbreaks and pandemics. As the global community reflects on the challenges and lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic, the pursuit of knowledge and preventive measures against future outbreaks …

COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency, World Health Organization says
1 year, 8 months ago

COVID-19 is no longer a global emergency, World Health Organization says

LA Times  

The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed at least 7 million people worldwide. “It’s with great hope that I declare COVID-19 over as a global health emergency,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. “That does not …

UN: 258 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2022
1 year, 8 months ago

UN: 258 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2022

Associated Press  

ROME — More than a quarter-billion people in 58 countries faced acute food insecurity last year because of conflicts, climate change, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to a report published Wednesday. The report found that that the number of people facing acute food insecurity and requiring urgent food aid — 258 million — …

258 million people worldwide faced acute food insecurity in 2022, report says
1 year, 8 months ago

258 million people worldwide faced acute food insecurity in 2022, report says

LA Times  

More than a quarter-billion people in 58 countries faced acute food insecurity last year because of conflicts, climate change, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war in Ukraine, according to a report published Wednesday. The report found that the number of people facing acute food insecurity and requiring urgent food aid — 258 million — had increased for …

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics
1 year, 11 months ago

Lessons From COVID: What The World Needs to Learn to Tackle Future Pandemics

The Quint  

The costly lesson from COVID: why elimination should be the default global strategy for future pandemics Getty Images Imagine it is 2030. An upgraded pandemic response to eliminate at source The process by which the WHO currently decides whether to declare a public health emergency of international concern has drawn criticism for being too slow. Elimination makes sense for other …

How can we end the hunger pandemic?
2 years ago

How can we end the hunger pandemic?

Al Jazeera  

As 2022 comes to a close, we are facing a food crisis worse than any other in recent memory. The combined consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate change, from disrupted supply chains and soaring inflation to extreme weather events, gradually left millions of people all over the world unable to put food on their tables. …

Food shock: Crop-battering disasters highlight climate threat
2 years, 2 months ago

Food shock: Crop-battering disasters highlight climate threat

The Hindu  

Rolling crises linked to war, weather disasters and the pandemic have shaken global food systems and tipped millions into hunger and poverty. Others, like floods, can cause sudden "devastation of livelihoods and infrastructure", said Rachel Bezner Kerr, professor at Cornell University and a lead author of the UN's landmark IPCC report on climate impacts. Since then, record temperatures withered crops …

UN warns up to 345 million people marching toward starvation
2 years, 3 months ago

UN warns up to 345 million people marching toward starvation

Associated Press  

UNITED NATIONS — The U.N. food chief warned Thursday that the world is facing “a global emergency of unprecedented magnitude,” with up to 345 million people marching toward starvation — and 70 million pushed closer to starvation by the war in Ukraine. David Beasley, executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, told the U.N. Security Council that the 345 …

Lancet report highlights 'massive global failures' in COVID-19 response
2 years, 3 months ago

Lancet report highlights 'massive global failures' in COVID-19 response

The Hindu  

Widespread, global failures at multiple levels in the COVID-19 response led to millions of preventable deaths and reversed progress made towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals in many countries, according to a new Lancet COVID-19 Commission report. The Commission critically considers the global response to the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing widespread failures of prevention, transparency, rationality, …

It’s time we all come together to address the global food crisis
2 years, 5 months ago

It’s time we all come together to address the global food crisis

Al Jazeera  

Millions of lives are at stake and the world’s most vulnerable do not have the luxury of time. Even before the war, hunger and malnutrition were on the rise globally, with an unacceptable 823 million people going hungry in 2021 according to the recent edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report by five United …

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage
2 years, 6 months ago

United Nations chief Antonio Guterres warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage

The Hindu  

The head of the United Nations warned on June 24 that the world faces “catastrophe” because of the growing shortage of food around the globe. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the war in Ukraine has added to the disruptions caused by climate change, the coronavirus pandemic and inequality to produce an “unprecedented global hunger crisis” already affecting hundreds of millions …

UN chief warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage
2 years, 6 months ago

UN chief warns of 'catastrophe' from global food shortage

India TV News  

Highlights United Nations chief warned that world faces “catastrophe” because of growing food shortage globally He said UN negotiators were working on a deal that would enable Ukraine to export food Russia exported as much wheat in May and June this year as in the same months of 2021 The head of the United Nations warned Friday that the world …

UN: Climate shocks, war fuel multiple looming food crises
2 years, 7 months ago

UN: Climate shocks, war fuel multiple looming food crises

Associated Press  

ROME — Two U.N. food agencies issued stark warnings Monday about multiple, looming food crises on the planet, driven by climate “shocks” like drought and worsened by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine that have sent fuel and food prices soaring. WFP Executive Director David Beasley said besides hurting “the poorest of the poor” the …

UN: 18 million facing severe hunger in West Africa’s Sahel
2 years, 7 months ago

UN: 18 million facing severe hunger in West Africa’s Sahel

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The U.N. is warning that 18 million people in Africa’s Sahel region face severe hunger in the next three months, citing the impacts of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the coronavirus pandemic, climate-induced shocks and rising costs. The largest number of people are at risk of severe hunger across the region since 2014, and four countries — Burkina Faso, …

UN: 18 million people facing severe hunger in Sahel region
2 years, 7 months ago

UN: 18 million people facing severe hunger in Sahel region

Al Jazeera  

It cites the effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, climate-induced shocks and rising costs as the reasons. The United Nations is warning that 18 million people in Africa’s Sahel region face severe hunger in the next three months, citing the effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the coronavirus pandemic, climate-induced shocks and rising costs. The largest number …

How the Russia-Ukraine war, COVID and climate change are fuelling a growing global food crisis
2 years, 8 months ago

How the Russia-Ukraine war, COVID and climate change are fuelling a growing global food crisis

ABC  

The farmers sleep fully clothed so they are ready to run for shelter. The report said nearly 193 million people in 53 countries and territories faced "crisis", "emergency" or "catastrophic" levels of food security in 2021 — the highest since the report began gathering data in 2016. "We already had record-high food prices, even in January, that was basically the …

UN: Record Number Of People Without Enough To Eat In 2021
2 years, 8 months ago

UN: Record Number Of People Without Enough To Eat In 2021

Huff Post  

The United Nations headquarters in New York on March 17, 2022. Daniel Slim/AFP via Getty Images ROME — The United Nations said Wednesday that the number of people without enough to eat on a daily basis reached all-time high last year and is poised to hit “appalling” new levels as the Ukraine war affects global food production. The U.N. said …

UN: Record Number of People without Enough to Eat in 2021, Ukraine War to Make Food Insecurity Worse
2 years, 8 months ago

UN: Record Number of People without Enough to Eat in 2021, Ukraine War to Make Food Insecurity Worse

News 18  

The United Nations said Wednesday that the number of people without enough to eat on a daily basis reached all-time high last year and is poised to hit appalling new levels as the Ukraine war affects global food production. Almost 193 million people in 53 countries suffered acute food insecurity in 2021 due to what the UN said was a …

UN: Record 193 million people faced food insecurity in 2021
2 years, 8 months ago

UN: Record 193 million people faced food insecurity in 2021

Al Jazeera  

Nearly 193 million people in 53 countries faced acute food insecurity in 2021, a jump of 40 million compared with 2020. The number of people without enough to eat on a daily basis has reached an all-time high last year and is poised to hit “appalling” new levels as the Ukraine war affects global food production, the United Nations said. …

COVID-19 spike worsens Africa’s severe poverty, hunger woes
3 years ago

COVID-19 spike worsens Africa’s severe poverty, hunger woes

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The ECA now warns that the economic effects already …

UN warns hunger is expected to rise in 23 global hotspots
3 years, 5 months ago

UN warns hunger is expected to rise in 23 global hotspots

The Hindu  

Hunger is expected to rise in 23 global hotspots in the next three months with the highest alerts for “catastrophic” situations in Ethiopia’s embattled Tigray region, southern Madagascar, Yemen, South Sudan and northern Nigeria, two U.N. agencies warned on Friday. The Food and Agriculture Organisation and World Food Program said in a new report on “Hunger Hotspots” between August and …

Will the ‘pingdemic’ really cause food shortages?
3 years, 5 months ago

Will the ‘pingdemic’ really cause food shortages?

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Prime minister Boris Johnson appealed for calm on Thursday morning, …

Pingdemic ‘threatens food supplies’ amid warnings app is ‘losing social consent’
3 years, 5 months ago

Pingdemic ‘threatens food supplies’ amid warnings app is ‘losing social consent’

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He said: “If the current trajectory of absences continues without …

UN: world hunger was dramatically worse in pandemic year
3 years, 5 months ago

UN: world hunger was dramatically worse in pandemic year

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the new “tragic data” …

Covid Triggered Biggest Increase In Hunger In Decades: UN
3 years, 5 months ago

Covid Triggered Biggest Increase In Hunger In Decades: UN

News 18  

The coronavirus pandemic caused an estimated 18 percent increase in the number of people facing hunger, a UN report released on Monday found, dealing a massive setback to efforts to ensure everyone has access to food. The “economic downturns as a consequence of Covid-19 containment measures all over the world have contributed to one of the largest increases in world …

WHO, at heart of world’s sluggish Covid response, could face shake-up
3 years, 7 months ago

WHO, at heart of world’s sluggish Covid response, could face shake-up

Live Mint  

The World Health Organization, at the heart of the world's sluggish handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, faces a potential shake-up to prevent future outbreaks as a top official warned that "the pathogens have the upper hand". Health ministers from WHO's 194 member states will also meet from Nov. 29 to decide whether to launch negotiations on an international treaty aimed …

World could have prevented COVID-19 catastrophe: Expert panel
3 years, 7 months ago

World could have prevented COVID-19 catastrophe: Expert panel

Al Jazeera  

Report by Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response says ‘toxic cocktail’ of dithering and poor coordination means warning signs went unheeded. An independent panel has concluded that the catastrophic scale of the coronavirus pandemic could have been prevented but a “toxic cocktail” of dithering and poor coordination meant the warning signs went unheeded. Early responses to the outbreak detected …

Pandemic, global conflict and climate change fueling food insecurity in 2020: report
3 years, 8 months ago

Pandemic, global conflict and climate change fueling food insecurity in 2020: report

Firstpost  

Economic crisis was the prime reason for hunger for 40 million, compared with 24 million in 2019 and the pandemic has exacerbated vulnerabilities. The economic cost of the global pandemic as well as conflict and climate change are fueling food security fears that in 2020 reached their highest level in five years, according to a report published Wednesday. He added …

UN says 155 million people faced severe hunger last year
3 years, 8 months ago

UN says 155 million people faced severe hunger last year

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The report, which focuses on 55 countries that account …

Millions staring at famine as food insecurity soars: Report
3 years, 8 months ago

Millions staring at famine as food insecurity soars: Report

Al Jazeera  

Food insecurity and its impacts have been exacerbated in part by the coronavirus pandemic, a new report has found. Food insecurity in the world’s poorest countries reached record highs in 2020, with millions staring at famine, a situation exacerbated in part by the COVID pandemic, according to a UN report. From Haiti to Syria, some 155 million people across 55 …

'Premature, unrealistic' to think Covid pandemic will be stopped by end of 2021: WHO
3 years, 10 months ago

'Premature, unrealistic' to think Covid pandemic will be stopped by end of 2021: WHO

India Today  

A senior World Health Organization official said Monday it was "premature" and "unrealistic" to think the pandemic might be stopped by the end of the year, but that the recent arrival of effective vaccines could at least help dramatically reduce hospitalizations and death. WHO's director-general, meanwhile, said it was "regrettable" that younger and healthier adults in some rich countries are …

COVID-19 pandemic increasing disparities, social fragmentation; threatening economy, geopolitical stability: WEF study
3 years, 11 months ago

COVID-19 pandemic increasing disparities, social fragmentation; threatening economy, geopolitical stability: WEF study

The Hindu  

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only claimed millions of lives, it is also increasing disparities and social fragmentation, while it will threaten the economy in the next 3-5 years and will weaken geopolitical stability over the next 5-10 years, a study showed on January 19, In its annual Global Risks Report, the World Economic Forum also termed ‘infectious diseases’ as …

Covid-19 not necessarily the big one, it’s a wake-up call: WHO warns crisis may get worse
4 years ago

Covid-19 not necessarily the big one, it’s a wake-up call: WHO warns crisis may get worse

India TV News  

The World Health Organisation have warned that the Coronavirus is not necessarily the big one, and that there is a real chance of another, more serious pandemic spreading across the world and urged the world to get "serious" about preparedness. "It has spread around the world extremely quickly and it has affected every corner of this planet, but this is …

History tells us this won't be last pandemic, says WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on coronavirus
4 years ago

History tells us this won't be last pandemic, says WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on coronavirus

Firstpost  

The WHO director-general also condemned the ‘dangerously short-sighted’ cycle of throwing cash at outbreaks but doing nothing to prepare for the next one Geneva: The coronavirus crisis will not be the last pandemic, and attempts to improve human health is “doomed” without tackling climate change and animal welfare, the World Health Organization’s chief said. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also condemned the …

Covid Impact: As Millions Stare at Famine, Women and Girls at Greater Risk as They Eat Last and Least
4 years, 1 month ago

Covid Impact: As Millions Stare at Famine, Women and Girls at Greater Risk as They Eat Last and Least

News 18  

With millions on the brink of famine in four nations, women and girls will be hardest hit due to cultural beliefs and COVID-19’s economic impacts, the charity CARE said on Wednesday. “There is a huge risk that millions of women and girls around the world are already going hungry,” Sarah Fuhrman, a humanitarian policy specialist with CARE, told the Thomson …

U.N. climate report urges governments to put more money into early-warning systems
4 years, 2 months ago

U.N. climate report urges governments to put more money into early-warning systems

The Hindu  

In the wake of heat waves, global warming, forest fires, storms, droughts and a rising number of hurricanes, the U.N. weather agency is warning that the number of people who need international humanitarian help could rise 50% by 2030 compared to the 108 million who needed it worldwide in 2018. It said over 11,000 disasters have been attributed to weather, …

Billionaires should help fight hunger amid Covid-19, says UN
4 years, 3 months ago

Billionaires should help fight hunger amid Covid-19, says UN

The Independent  

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