According to the UN, more than 45 million people are at the end of famine, particularly because of conflicts, climate change and CIVID-19. The leap of three million extra people in less than a year is explained by the situation in Afghanistan.
Le Monde with AFP
More than 45 million people are at the edge of famine in the world, warns, Monday, November 8, United Nations World Food Program
“Tens of millions of people are at the edge of the chasm. Conflicts, climate change and COVID-19 have increased the number of people with acute famine,” said WFP Executive Director, David Beasley , after a trip to Afghanistan, where the UN program provides help to almost 23 million people .
Acute food insecurity situations concern 43 countries. The leap, from 42 million at the beginning of the year, to 45 million people threatened by hunger, was found to the means of an assessment of food insecurity that three other million people are now facing famine In Afghanistan, according to the UN agency whose headquarters is in Rome.
“Fuel prices are increasing, food prices skyrockets, fertilizers are more expensive, all of these factors feed a new crisis like that currently rages in Afghanistan, as well as long-standing emergencies. As in Yemen and Syria, “Beasley explained.
Families forced to sell their children
The cost of famine prevention around the world is $ 7 billion (about 6 billion euros), up from $ 6.6 billion in early year However, it must be taken into account that traditional financing mechanisms are overwhelmed.
Families who face acute food insecurity situations are forced to “make devastating choices”, marrying too young children, removing them from school or nourishing them with locusts, leaves or cacti , according to the WFP.
Press information from Afghanistan report “families forced to sell their children in a desperate attempt to survive,” the United Nations agency is alarmed.