There are many ‘hunger hotspots’ in Africa, Fears of famine persist in Gaza and Sudan, where conflict continues. Adding to the regional risk of a new hunger emergency., The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) were warned.
“Once famine is declared, it is too late. Many people will already starve to death.“WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain said, “In Somalia in 2011, half of the 250,000 people who died of hunger before famine was officially declared. The world did not heed the warnings then, and the results were catastrophic. “We must learn the lessons and act now to prevent these hotspots from unleashing a hunger storm.”
An early warning report from the UN agency covering 17 countries and drought-affected regions including Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe warns: Mali, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan It remains at the highest alert level and requires the most urgent attention. Haiti was added to the list amid escalating violence and food security threats.
South Sudan Focus
The ongoing devastating hunger crisis in South Sudan is so severe that the number of people facing hunger and death is expected to nearly double between April and July 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
“Domestic food supply shortages and rapid currency depreciation are causing food prices to soar, which is further exacerbated by potential flooding and recurring internal conflict,” the report said in relation to South Sudan. “The expected increase in the number of returnees and refugees from Sudan is likely to increase acute food insecurity for both new arrivals and host communities.”
Chad, Syria, and Yemen also pay attention
Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, the Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen are also of “very high concern,” the report said.
“Multiple people” in these countries face severe food insecurity, coupled with worsening factors that are expected to further worsen the life-threatening situation in the coming months.
Central from October 2023 African Republic, Lebanon, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Zambia joined Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, Somalia, Zimbabwe It is on the list of hunger hotspots where severe food insecurity is likely to worsen in the coming months.
Extreme weather remains
Conflict remains one of the main causes of food insecurity, but a joint early warning report from WFP and FAO highlighted that climate shocks, particularly the “remaining” El Niño, are also to blame.
Although the weather event is now coming to an end, “it is clear that its impacts are severe and widespread,” the report authors argued, pointing to devastating droughts in southern Africa and widespread flooding in eastern Africa.
Pay attention to potential impacts and ““The looming threat of La Niña.” The UN agency’s assessment is that between August and February 2025, there will be a “significant” impact on rainfall. This could lead to climate change with “significant impacts” on several countries, including flooding in Sudan, as well as South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, Haiti, Chad, Mali and Nigeria.
Prevent hunger and death
The report, in collaboration with the United Nations, warned that both weather events could bring about extreme climate events that “could upend lives and livelihoods,” calling for large-scale, immediate humanitarian action “to prevent further hunger and death.” Support your needs.
