United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned the Security Council, Thursday, of the dangers of "millions starving" in the world if "immediate steps" are not taken.
"Climate fluctuations and the Covid-19 pandemic" exacerbate these risks, he said during a Security Council meeting on the link between hunger and security organized by the United States, explaining that in 30 countries "more than 30 million people are close to famine."
He added, "My message is simple: If you do not provide food for the people, you will fuel conflicts," criticizing the responsibility of mankind in causing famine.
He stated that "starvation and hunger are no longer a matter of food shortage. Today they are mainly man-made - and he used the word intentionally -".
He continued, "It is unacceptable that there will be famine in the 21st century."
"At the end of 2020, more than 80 million people were suffering from acute hunger due to conflict and instability, an increase of 20% within a year," Guterres said.
He warned that "the year 2021 forecast indicates the continuation of this frightening trend," explaining that this "proves that hunger crises are exacerbating and spreading in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa and are accelerating in southern Sudan, Yemen and Afghanistan."
He added, "To avoid a catastrophe that would affect 34 million women, men, girls and boys," the United Nations and its agencies called for "urgent action" to secure "additional resources of $ 5.5 billion."
He also announced the formation of a "high-level special team for famine prevention" at the United Nations in New York, to which representatives from the World Food Program and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) will participate.
