New Delhi, April 22: The head of the food relief agency of the United Nations (UN) has warned that due to the coronovirus (Covid-19) pandemic, millions of people in the world may face severe famine for some time.
David Muldrow Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP) of the UN said widespread famine conditions could occur in more than 30 developing countries. Among them, more than 1 million people in 10 countries are still on the verge of starvation.
He said in an interview that he is really talking about extreme situations of emergency. People have literally reached the brink of starvation. If people do not get food, people will die. It is actually more dangerous than just a pandemic. This disease is causing a starvation. It is a human and food catastrophe.
Beasley sent his message to the UN Security Council on Tuesday and warned world leaders to act quickly in a rapidly deteriorating situation.
He has requested for assistance of $ 2 billion (1.6 billion pounds) so that food items can be sent to the needy at the earliest. In addition, an additional $ 350 million (£ 285 million) is also required to establish a logistic network and to supply by air where it is not possible from the ground.
Beasley said that it was already being said that 2020 would be the worst year since the Second World War. Earlier this year, areas in East Africa were in the grip of the largest locust attack in decades. Due to which 70 million people face the threat of starvation.
According to a report released on Thursday by the United Nations and other organizations, the Covid-19 crisis will bring at least 265 million people to the brink of starvation, double the number before the pandemic.
