20 Million People Could ‘Starve to Death’ in Next Six Months

A livestock owner in Yemen tends her goats. Livestock production fell by more than 35 per cent in 2016 compared to the pre-crisis period. Credit: FAOBy Baher KamalROME, Apr 28 2017 (IPS)Urgent action is needed to save the lives of people facing famine in North Eastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, the UN leading food and agriculture agency’s chief on April 28 warned. “If nothing is done, some 20 million people could starve to death in the next six months.” “Famine does not just kill people, it contributes to social instability and also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and aid dependency that endures for decades,” the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) the Director-General Jose Graziano da Silva added.At a media briefing ahead of the conclusive session of the this UN specialised agency’s executive arm—the FAO Council, he launched a new appeal for voluntary contributions, that are “of vital importance to FAO, now more than ever.”“I will be always committed to finding more savings and promoting more efficiency, as I have done over the last five years. But I have already cut to the bone. There is no more fat left.”On this, Graziano da Silva emphasised the need to work with everyone on the basis of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development –“Leaving No One Behind”, in order to save all the affected people.He also announced that agreement will be signed among FAO and the other two Rome-based UN agencies:...
Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - Category: Global & Universal Authors: Tags: Aid Armed Conflicts Crime & Justice Democracy Development & Aid Featured Food & Agriculture Headlines Health Human Rights Humanitarian Emergencies Inequity Middle East & North Africa Peace Poverty & SDGs TerraViva United Nati Source Type: news