More than 45 million people are on the verge of famine in the world, warns, Monday, November 8, the World Food Program (PAM) of the United Nations.
“Tens of millions of people are on the brink. Conflicts, climate change and Covid-19 have increased the number of people in acute famine ”, said WFP Executive Director David Beasley after a trip to Afghanistan, where the UN program helps almost 23 million people.
Situations of acute food insecurity concern 43 countries. The jump from 42 million at the start of the year to 45 million people at risk of hunger was seen through a food insecurity assessment that found another three million people now face starvation in Afghanistan, according to the UN agency headquartered in Rome.
“Fuel prices are rising, food prices are skyrocketing, fertilizers are more expensive, all of these are fueling a new crisis like the one now plaguing Afghanistan, as well as long-standing emergencies like Yemen.” and in Syria ”, explained Mr Beasley.
Families forced to sell their children
The cost of preventing famine worldwide stands at seven billion dollars (about 6 billion euros), up from the figure of 6.6 billion dollars at the beginning of the year, however it It must be taken into account that traditional financing mechanisms are overwhelmed.
Families facing acute food insecurity are forced to “Make devastating choices”, marrying underage children, removing them from school or feeding them with locusts, leaves or cacti, according to WFP.
Press reports from Afghanistan indicate “Families forced to sell their children in a desperate attempt to survive”, the UN agency is alarmed.