A record high number of people are seeking urgent food and livelihood assistance, with the UN World Food Programme warning that the situation is “not very good” due to a large number of people being food insecure.
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, stated that the organization has only received half of the money it needs to feed the growing number of people in need, citing a global pullback in aid as a major factor.
Global Hunger Crisis
The crisis is being exacerbated by a number of factors, including conflicts and diseases such as Ebola, which is currently spreading rapidly in the Congo, a country already struggling with 27 million food insecure people.
The situation in Sudan, which is considered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, is also a major concern, with the UN World Food Programme working to set up operations in the country despite the challenges posed by ongoing conflict.
Humanitarian Response
The international community is being called upon to step up its response to the crisis, with McCain warning that the consequences of inaction will be severe, including the potential for further famines and widespread suffering.
The US State Department has pledged some help, but more is needed to address the scale of the crisis, which is already having a devastating impact on communities around the world.
