U.N. warns an additional 130 million people could be on the brink of starvation by the end of 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and economic downturn, predicting 'the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II.'
as pre-existing factors that were already setting 2020 up to be a dangerous year for hunger.
As a result of the coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent economic ramifications, the food agency found an additional 130 million people could be on the brink of starvation by the end of the year. The working poor would be hit the hardest as a result of the decline in tourism and exports,The resulting death toll could outpace that of the coronavirus with 300,000 people dying due to starvation every day over a three-month period, the agency reported.
Children are particularly at risk as lockdowns in response to the coronavirus are keeping them out of school where they typically could receive subsidized meals. "I must warn you that if we don't prepare and act now — to secure access, avoid funding shortfalls and disruptions to trade — we could be facing multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months," Beasley said.The World Food Program is in need of an additional $1.9 billion in donations to stockpile food for countries at risk plus another $350 million to support the distribution of humanitarian aid, Beasley told the Security Council, the U.N.
While there are no famines yet,"we do not have time on our side," Beasley said, urging world leaders to act quickly in providing aid.
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