A storm of crisis looms ahead for displaced families living in Yemen camps as they are all set to face intense desert winter.

Displaced families living in Yemen camps face intense desert winter

North Korean local governments are hurrying to create candies in advance of a statewide celebration of leader Kim Jong-Un's birthday in January, but the government is forcing hungry residents to pay the bill.&nbsp;

According to Radio Free Asia, at a time when the country is grappling with food shortages that are estimated to be on par with the 1990s famine, the statewide baking effort has depleted flour and sugar supplies, raising costs and diverting funds away from those who need it to purchase food.&nbsp;

"Since yesterday, the price of one kilogram of flour has jumped from 12,000 won (U.S. $2.40) to 30,000 won ($6). The price of sugar has also jumped from 13,000 won to 25,000 won," a resident of Unsan, South Pyongan province, north of the capital Pyongyang, told RFA’s Korean Service.

"It’s all because the central government has ordered that each province must produce and supply confections as gifts for children from Kim Jong-Un for his birthday on January 8," said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons.

Pyongyang's candy production lines are thought to have been the most impacted.

According to sources who requested anonymity, the central government has mandated that each province create and distribute sweet delicacies and confections for youngsters as a birthday gift from Kim.&nbsp;

The habit of giving sweet mementos to children has long been observed in North Korea.

Kim II Sung, the present leader's grandfather, founded it.

Candies were provided to daycare and primary school pupils, as well as their mothers, on Kim Jong-Un's birthday in the early years of his administration.

However, beginning of 2019, this tradition has been expanded to include candy presents for all North Korean nationals, which will be handed on January 1.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

North Korean local governments are hurrying to create candies in advance of a statewide celebration of leader Kim Jong-Un's birthday in January, but the government is forcing hungry residents to pay the bill.

North Korean local governments are hurrying to create candies in advance of a statewide celebration of leader Kim Jong-Un's birthday in January, but the government is forcing hungry residents to pay the bill. According to Radio Free Asia, at a time when the country is grappling with food shortages that are estimated to be on par with the 1990s famine, the statewide baking effort has depleted flour and sugar supplies, raising costs and diverting funds away from those who need it to purchase food. "Since yesterday, the price of one kilogram of flour has jumped from 12,000 won (U.S. $2.40) to 30,000 won ($6). The price of sugar has also jumped from 13,000 won to 25,000 won," a resident of Unsan, South Pyongan province, north of the capital Pyongyang, told RFA’s Korean Service. "It’s all because the central government has ordered that each province must produce and supply confections as gifts for children from Kim Jong-Un for his birthday on January 8," said the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons. Pyongyang's candy production lines are thought to have been the most impacted. According to sources who requested anonymity, the central government has mandated that each province create and distribute sweet delicacies and confections for youngsters as a birthday gift from Kim. The habit of giving sweet mementos to children has long been observed in North Korea. Kim II Sung, the present leader's grandfather, founded it. Candies were provided to daycare and primary school pupils, as well as their mothers, on Kim Jong-Un's birthday in the early years of his administration. However, beginning of 2019, this tradition has been expanded to include candy presents for all North Korean nationals, which will be handed on January 1. (With inputs from agencies)

North Koreans are starving, but they're forced to pay for candies for Kim Jong-Un's birthday

A report by the UN food agency has revealed that as&nbsp;acute hunger spikes around the world,&nbsp;around 45 million people are living on the edge of famine in 43 countries.

Earlier this year, the World&nbsp;Food Programme (WFP) had pegged this number at 42 million. However, a&nbsp;recent assessment of food security found another three million people facing famine in Afghanistan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/reports-of-famine-in-north-korea-as-bad-as-1990s-amid-mounting-food-insecurity-426894">Reports of famine in North Korea as bad as 1990s amid mounting food insecurity</a>

"Tens of millions of people are staring into an abyss. We've got conflict, climate change and COVID-19 driving up the numbers of the acutely hungry," WFP Executive Director David Beasley was quoted as saying.&nbsp;

After a visit to Afghanistan, where the World Food Program is increasing assistance to almost 23 million people, he said: "The latest data show there are now more than 45 million people marching towards the brink of starvation,".

"Fuel costs are up, food prices are soaring, fertiliser is more expensive, and all of this feeds into new crises like the one unfolding now in Afghanistan, as well as long-standing emergencies like Yemen and Syria," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ill-donate-6-billion-if-the-un-can-prove-how-it-will-solve-world-hunger-elon-musk-425761">I'll donate $6 billion if the UN can prove how it will solve world hunger: Elon Musk</a>

It is now estimated that to avert the famine worldwide, seven billion dollars are needed, up from the estimated 6.6 billion earlier in the year. However, the WFP warns that traditional funding streams are overstretched.

The food insecurity in some areas is causing parents to make devastating choices like marrying off their children early, pulling them out of school, or feeding them locusts, wild leaves, or cactus.

"Meanwhile media reports from Afghanistan point to families reportedly being forced to sell their children in a desperate attempt to survive," it said.

Watch |&nbsp;Afghanistan inches closer to famine as winters approach

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-inches-closer-to-famine-as-winters-approach-420848/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Several droughts in Afghanistan were compounding an economic meltdown, pushing families to the edge.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, 12.4 million Syrians have no idea where their next meal will come from. According to the report, this is the highest number in the Syrian conflict's decade-long history.

In addition, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, Angola, Kenya, and Burundi, have also witnessed an increase in acute hunger, reports the agency.

A report by the UN food agency has revealed that as acute hunger spikes around the world, around 45 million people are living on the edge of famine in 43 countries.

A report by the UN food agency has revealed that as acute hunger spikes around the world, around 45 million people are living on the edge of famine in 43 countries. Earlier this year, the World Food Programme (WFP) had pegged this number at 42 million. However, a recent assessment of food security found another three million people facing famine in Afghanistan. Also read | Reports of famine in North Korea as bad as 1990s amid mounting food insecurity "Tens of millions of people are staring into an abyss. We've got conflict, climate change and COVID-19 driving up the numbers of the acutely hungry," WFP Executive Director David Beasley was quoted as saying. After a visit to Afghanistan, where the World Food Program is increasing assistance to almost 23 million people, he said: "The latest data show there are now more than 45 million people marching towards the brink of starvation,". "Fuel costs are up, food prices are soaring, fertiliser is more expensive, and all of this feeds into new crises like the one unfolding now in Afghanistan, as well as long-standing emergencies like Yemen and Syria," he added. Also read | I'll donate $6 billion if the UN can prove how it will solve world hunger: Elon Musk It is now estimated that to avert the famine worldwide, seven billion dollars are needed, up from the estimated 6.6 billion earlier in the year. However, the WFP warns that traditional funding streams are overstretched. The food insecurity in some areas is causing parents to make devastating choices like marrying off their children early, pulling them out of school, or feeding them locusts, wild leaves, or cactus. "Meanwhile media reports from Afghanistan point to families reportedly being forced to sell their children in a desperate attempt to survive," it said. Watch | Afghanistan inches closer to famine as winters approach Several droughts in Afghanistan were compounding an economic meltdown, pushing families to the edge. Meanwhile, 12.4 million Syrians have no idea where their next meal will come from. According to the report, this is the highest number in the Syrian conflict's decade-long history. In addition, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, Angola, Kenya, and Burundi, have also witnessed an increase in acute hunger, reports the agency.

'Staring into an abyss': UN says 3 million in Afghanistan, 45 million worldwide knocking at famine's door

Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine'

According to the United Nations, Madagascar is on the brink of experiencing the world's first "climate change famine" as thousands of people are already suffering "catastrophic" levels of hunger and food insecurity.

UN World Food Programme's Shelley Thakral was quoted by the BBC as saying, "These are famine-like conditions and they're being driven by climate not conflict".

She added, "This is unprecedented. These people have done nothing to contribute to climate change. They don't burn fossil fuels… and yet they are bearing the brunt of climate change".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/former-afghanistan-minister-now-delivers-pizzas-in-germany-report-408316">Also read |&nbsp;Former Afghanistan minister now delivers pizzas in Germany: Report</a>

The UN estimates that 30,000 people are currently experiencing the highest internationally recognised level of food insecurity, which is level five.

Also, there are concerns the number affected could rise sharply as Madagascar enters the traditional "lean season" before harvest.

In the remote village of Fandiova, in Amboasary district, families recently showed a visiting WFP team the locusts that they were eating.

The impact of the current drought is now being felt in larger towns in southern Madagascar too as many children are forced to beg on the streets for food.

According to the United Nations, Madagascar is on the brink of experiencing the world's first "climate change famine" as thousands of people are already suffering "catastrophic" levels of hunger and food insecurity.

According to the United Nations, Madagascar is on the brink of experiencing the world's first "climate change famine" as thousands of people are already suffering "catastrophic" levels of hunger and food insecurity. UN World Food Programme's Shelley Thakral was quoted by the BBC as saying, "These are famine-like conditions and they're being driven by climate not conflict". She added, "This is unprecedented. These people have done nothing to contribute to climate change. They don't burn fossil fuels… and yet they are bearing the brunt of climate change". Also read | Former Afghanistan minister now delivers pizzas in Germany: Report The UN estimates that 30,000 people are currently experiencing the highest internationally recognised level of food insecurity, which is level five. Also, there are concerns the number affected could rise sharply as Madagascar enters the traditional "lean season" before harvest. In the remote village of Fandiova, in Amboasary district, families recently showed a visiting WFP team the locusts that they were eating. The impact of the current drought is now being felt in larger towns in southern Madagascar too as many children are forced to beg on the streets for food.

Madagascar on brink of famine, says UN

"Look at my child -- please help us!" cries the woman.

She hurriedly undresses the five-year-old girl, uncovering gaunt arms and ribs that are painfully visible under the skin.

The child allows herself to be pulled around before starting to shake.

The mother and her daughter live in the famine-stricken region of Anosy in Madagascar's far south.

Penniless, they have another 10 kilometres (six miles) to walk from the village of Fenoaivo to the nearest health centre.

Further along the road, a family holds a silent vigil outside the hut where their father has lain since dying of hunger four days ago.

"We can't bury him because we don't have a zebu (cow). We won't have a meal to serve, which is the most important thing for us," says the dead man's daughter Rahovatae by the low-burning fire.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/humanitarian-disaster-clay-quelling-hunger-in-famine-hit-madagascar-348659">Also read |&nbsp;Humanitarian disaster: Clay quelling hunger in famine-hit Madagascar</a>

The family has been digging for roots, the only food available while waiting for help to arrive.

"There's nothing left here where we've been digging," says mother of nine Rahovatae, a spade in her hand in the small wood outside the village.

She tears off a piece of one of the cactuses they have been eating for want of anything better.

"I chop off the spines with a knife. It's horrible, it's bitter and it sticks to the roof of your mouth. Even when you cook it it doesn't taste of anything. It's making us weaker," she complains.

The deserted hamlet where the family lives is one of those known to aid workers as "zombie villages" -- home only to small numbers of wasted people who seem to be waiting for death.

'Horror film'

Rahovatae and her family are among over a million Madagascans in need of food in a vast area spread over 110,000 square kilometres (42,000 square miles) -- around the size of Virginia or New Zealand's North Island.

Years with little rain have made farming impossible, while sandstorms have turned huge stretches of arable land barren -- effects the UN has linked to climate change.

"We planted but there was no rain. Everything that's planted dies. We don't have anything left. Some of what we owned we sold, the rest was stolen by bandits," says Sinazy, a mother of eight in Mahaly.

Her 17-year-old son Havanay is breaking wild nuts inside their little earth-and-straw hut.

"We eat the insides, this white kernel," he says.

"I break these from morning until dusk. But the fat can make you ill. I shake after I've eaten it," Havanay says.

World Food Programme (WFP) chief David Beasley has compared the plight of the starving in Madagascar to a "horror film", saying it was "enough to bring even the most hardened humanitarian to tears."

Around 14,000 people have already reached a stage the WFP defines as level five, a "catastrophe when people have absolutely nothing left to eat," says the organisation's Madagascar chief Moumini Ouedraogo.

The UN estimates it will need $78.6 million to provide vital food aid in the next lean season starting in October.

Leather scraps

Several aid groups have been handing out hundreds of tonnes of food and nutritional supplements for months with government help.

But this isn't nearly enough.

In Ambovombe, the main town in hard-hit Androy region, hundreds have been surviving without help for months.

They beg and eat food scraps from the market -- even leather offcuts given to them by sandal makers.

Boiled with a little salt to soften it or grilled, the leather "tears up our stomachs, but it's because we have nothing. We're suffering badly," says Clarisse.

President Andry Rajoelina has launched "several actions" since his 2019 election aimed at "a true transformation in the south," his chief of staff Lova Hasinirina Ranoromaro said, adding that there is "strong political will".

The president himself has announced via Twitter that "140 major projects" will be launched in agriculture, water supply, public works and health.

Madagascar has gone through 16 recorded food crises since 1896.

Researcher Paubert Mahatante says that as well as climate change, other factors including "the population explosion combined with exhaustion of natural resources," are to blame.

Neither the government nor the WFP publicly tracks the number who have died of starvation, but AFP has tallied at least 340 deaths from local authority figures in recent months.

"Look at my child -- please help us!" cries the woman. She hurriedly undresses the five-year-old girl, uncovering gaunt arms and ribs that are painfully visible under the skin.

"Look at my child -- please help us!" cries the woman. She hurriedly undresses the five-year-old girl, uncovering gaunt arms and ribs that are painfully visible under the skin. The child allows herself to be pulled around before starting to shake. The mother and her daughter live in the famine-stricken region of Anosy in Madagascar's far south. Penniless, they have another 10 kilometres (six miles) to walk from the village of Fenoaivo to the nearest health centre. Further along the road, a family holds a silent vigil outside the hut where their father has lain since dying of hunger four days ago. "We can't bury him because we don't have a zebu (cow). We won't have a meal to serve, which is the most important thing for us," says the dead man's daughter Rahovatae by the low-burning fire. Also read | Humanitarian disaster: Clay quelling hunger in famine-hit Madagascar The family has been digging for roots, the only food available while waiting for help to arrive. "There's nothing left here where we've been digging," says mother of nine Rahovatae, a spade in her hand in the small wood outside the village. She tears off a piece of one of the cactuses they have been eating for want of anything better. "I chop off the spines with a knife. It's horrible, it's bitter and it sticks to the roof of your mouth. Even when you cook it it doesn't taste of anything. It's making us weaker," she complains. The deserted hamlet where the family lives is one of those known to aid workers as "zombie villages" -- home only to small numbers of wasted people who seem to be waiting for death. 'Horror film' Rahovatae and her family are among over a million Madagascans in need of food in a vast area spread over 110,000 square kilometres (42,000 square miles) -- around the size of Virginia or New Zealand's North Island. Years with little rain have made farming impossible, while sandstorms have turned huge stretches of arable land barren -- effects the UN has linked to climate change. "We planted but there was no rain. Everything that's planted dies. We don't have anything left. Some of what we owned we sold, the rest was stolen by bandits," says Sinazy, a mother of eight in Mahaly. Her 17-year-old son Havanay is breaking wild nuts inside their little earth-and-straw hut. "We eat the insides, this white kernel," he says. "I break these from morning until dusk. But the fat can make you ill. I shake after I've eaten it," Havanay says. World Food Programme (WFP) chief David Beasley has compared the plight of the starving in Madagascar to a "horror film", saying it was "enough to bring even the most hardened humanitarian to tears." Around 14,000 people have already reached a stage the WFP defines as level five, a "catastrophe when people have absolutely nothing left to eat," says the organisation's Madagascar chief Moumini Ouedraogo. The UN estimates it will need $78.6 million to provide vital food aid in the next lean season starting in October. Leather scraps Several aid groups have been handing out hundreds of tonnes of food and nutritional supplements for months with government help. But this isn't nearly enough. In Ambovombe, the main town in hard-hit Androy region, hundreds have been surviving without help for months. They beg and eat food scraps from the market -- even leather offcuts given to them by sandal makers. Boiled with a little salt to soften it or grilled, the leather "tears up our stomachs, but it's because we have nothing. We're suffering badly," says Clarisse. President Andry Rajoelina has launched "several actions" since his 2019 election aimed at "a true transformation in the south," his chief of staff Lova Hasinirina Ranoromaro said, adding that there is "strong political will". The president himself has announced via Twitter that "140 major projects" will be launched in agriculture, water supply, public works and health. Madagascar has gone through 16 recorded food crises since 1896. Researcher Paubert Mahatante says that as well as climate change, other factors including "the population explosion combined with exhaustion of natural resources," are to blame. Neither the government nor the WFP publicly tracks the number who have died of starvation, but AFP has tallied at least 340 deaths from local authority figures in recent months.

'Nothing left' for people in famine-struck southern Madagascar

Families in southern Madagascar are on the edge of starvation as the country faces its worst drought in four decades. People are food insecure as severe droughts in Madagascar have led to a total disappearance of food sources.

Madagascar faces its worst drought in four decades, families on edge of starvation

Over 400,000 people have "crossed the threshold into famine" in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region, a senior UN official said Friday, appealing for urgent humanitarian action to help the millions affected by the brutal eight-month long conflict.

Fighting between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was reignited last month when the rebels launched a major counter-offensive that saw them retake their regional capital of Mekele.

This week Ethiopian forces destroyed two key bridges allowing desperately-needed aid into the region, prompting charges Addis Ababa was seeking to choke off humanitarian assistance.

Friday saw the UN Security Council hold its first public meeting on a conflict that has left thousands of dead and plunged hundreds of thousands into hunger.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-drops-sanctions-on-three-iranians-says-move-unrelated-to-nuclear-talks-395452">Also Read |&nbsp;US drops sanctions on three Iranians, says move unrelated to nuclear talks</a>

Ramesh Rajasingham, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told that meeting that the situation had "worsened dramatically" as the conflict had reignited in recent weeks.

"More than 400,000 people are estimated to have crossed the threshold into famine and another 1.8 million people are on the brink of famine," he said. "Some are suggesting that the numbers are even higher. 33,000 children are severely malnourished."

"The lives of many of these people (in Tigray) depend on our ability to reach them with food, medicine, nutrition supplies and other humanitarian assistance," he added. "We need to reach them now. Not next week. Now."

Ethiopia has rejected charges that it planned to choke off aid to the region.

"The insinuation that we are planning to suffocate the Tigrayan people by denying humanitarian access and using hunger as a weapon of war is beyond the pale," Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen told diplomats gathered at a hotel in the capital Addis Ababa.

Officials are "using every ounce of our strength to extricate" Tigrayan civilians "from the dire situation they find themselves in", he added.&nbsp;

Ceasefire 'a joke'&nbsp;

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into Tigray last November to detain and disarm leaders of the regional ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).&nbsp;

He said the move was in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps and declared victory within weeks after federal forces took the regional capital Mekele.&nbsp;

But after the rebels -- having rebranded themselves the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) -- retook Mekele and asserted control over most of the region, the government announced a unilateral ceasefire that the TDF has dismissed as "a joke."

Senior UN official Rosemary DiCarlo urged the group Friday to "immediately and completely" endorse the ceasefire.

"A ceasefire observed by all parties would not only facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid but would also be a starting point for the necessary political efforts to chart a way out of the crisis," DiCarlo said.

'Lives will be lost'

The war has already exerted a staggering humanitarian toll, with the United States estimating 900,000 civilians are "likely already experiencing famine conditions".&nbsp;

The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) says 5.2 million people, or 91 per cent of Tigray's population, need emergency food assistance.&nbsp;

On Friday, the WFP said it had resumed aid operations after a two-day pause but added that lives were still in the balance after the two major bridges leading into Tigray were destroyed.

"Lives will be lost if supply routes into Tigray do not fully open and parties to the conflict continue to disrupt or endanger free movement of cargo for WFP and other emergency responders."

The UN has said one of the bridges was "reportedly" blown up by security forces from the Amhara region, south of Tigray, but the government on Friday blamed Tigrayan forces.&nbsp;

In his comments to diplomats Friday, Demeke reiterated the government's position that the ceasefire was motivated by humanitarian concerns and to facilitate farming.&nbsp;

But with electricity and telecommunications cut off, flights suspended and most roads into the region now impassable, UN officials and diplomats fear the situation could deteriorate further.

"A credible ceasefire means doing everything possible so that aid reaches the millions of children, women and men who urgently need it," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter.

Path to dialogue?&nbsp;

Demeke also said that, following national elections last month that is expected to give Abiy a new term, the government was preparing for an "inclusive dialogue" to resolve the crisis. The polls were postponed in Tigray.&nbsp;

Such a dialogue has long been sought by diplomats lobbying for a political resolution of the war.&nbsp;

But in a closed question-and-answer session with diplomats, officials indicated that dialogue with the TPLF leadership remained off the table.

In May lawmakers designated the TPLF a terrorist organisation.

When pressed by diplomats on how that might affect whatever dialogue takes place, Demeke said some TPLF members were "innocent" and could be included, according to three attendees.

But both Demeke and Redwan Hussein, spokesman for a government task force on the Tigray conflict, told diplomats that Addis Ababa was committed to "accountability" for TPLF leaders, the diplomats said.

Over 400,000 people have "crossed the threshold into famine" in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region, a senior UN official said Friday, appealing for urgent humanitarian action to help the millions affected by the brutal eight-month long conflict.

Over 400,000 people have "crossed the threshold into famine" in Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region, a senior UN official said Friday, appealing for urgent humanitarian action to help the millions affected by the brutal eight-month long conflict. Fighting between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) was reignited last month when the rebels launched a major counter-offensive that saw them retake their regional capital of Mekele. This week Ethiopian forces destroyed two key bridges allowing desperately-needed aid into the region, prompting charges Addis Ababa was seeking to choke off humanitarian assistance. Friday saw the UN Security Council hold its first public meeting on a conflict that has left thousands of dead and plunged hundreds of thousands into hunger. Also Read | US drops sanctions on three Iranians, says move unrelated to nuclear talks Ramesh Rajasingham, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, told that meeting that the situation had "worsened dramatically" as the conflict had reignited in recent weeks. "More than 400,000 people are estimated to have crossed the threshold into famine and another 1.8 million people are on the brink of famine," he said. "Some are suggesting that the numbers are even higher. 33,000 children are severely malnourished." "The lives of many of these people (in Tigray) depend on our ability to reach them with food, medicine, nutrition supplies and other humanitarian assistance," he added. "We need to reach them now. Not next week. Now." Ethiopia has rejected charges that it planned to choke off aid to the region. "The insinuation that we are planning to suffocate the Tigrayan people by denying humanitarian access and using hunger as a weapon of war is beyond the pale," Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen told diplomats gathered at a hotel in the capital Addis Ababa. Officials are "using every ounce of our strength to extricate" Tigrayan civilians "from the dire situation they find themselves in", he added. Ceasefire 'a joke' Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into Tigray last November to detain and disarm leaders of the regional ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). He said the move was in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps and declared victory within weeks after federal forces took the regional capital Mekele. But after the rebels -- having rebranded themselves the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) -- retook Mekele and asserted control over most of the region, the government announced a unilateral ceasefire that the TDF has dismissed as "a joke." Senior UN official Rosemary DiCarlo urged the group Friday to "immediately and completely" endorse the ceasefire. "A ceasefire observed by all parties would not only facilitate the provision of humanitarian aid but would also be a starting point for the necessary political efforts to chart a way out of the crisis," DiCarlo said. 'Lives will be lost' The war has already exerted a staggering humanitarian toll, with the United States estimating 900,000 civilians are "likely already experiencing famine conditions". The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) says 5.2 million people, or 91 per cent of Tigray's population, need emergency food assistance. On Friday, the WFP said it had resumed aid operations after a two-day pause but added that lives were still in the balance after the two major bridges leading into Tigray were destroyed. "Lives will be lost if supply routes into Tigray do not fully open and parties to the conflict continue to disrupt or endanger free movement of cargo for WFP and other emergency responders." The UN has said one of the bridges was "reportedly" blown up by security forces from the Amhara region, south of Tigray, but the government on Friday blamed Tigrayan forces. In his comments to diplomats Friday, Demeke reiterated the government's position that the ceasefire was motivated by humanitarian concerns and to facilitate farming. But with electricity and telecommunications cut off, flights suspended and most roads into the region now impassable, UN officials and diplomats fear the situation could deteriorate further. "A credible ceasefire means doing everything possible so that aid reaches the millions of children, women and men who urgently need it," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter. Path to dialogue? Demeke also said that, following national elections last month that is expected to give Abiy a new term, the government was preparing for an "inclusive dialogue" to resolve the crisis. The polls were postponed in Tigray. Such a dialogue has long been sought by diplomats lobbying for a political resolution of the war. But in a closed question-and-answer session with diplomats, officials indicated that dialogue with the TPLF leadership remained off the table. In May lawmakers designated the TPLF a terrorist organisation. When pressed by diplomats on how that might affect whatever dialogue takes place, Demeke said some TPLF members were "innocent" and could be included, according to three attendees. But both Demeke and Redwan Hussein, spokesman for a government task force on the Tigray conflict, told diplomats that Addis Ababa was committed to "accountability" for TPLF leaders, the diplomats said.

400,000 people facing famine in war-torn Tigray, says UN

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the country`s economy improved this year but called for measures to tackle the "tense" food situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and last year`s typhoons, state media said on Wednesday. 
 
Kim chaired a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers` Party`s central committee on Tuesday to review progress on major policies and craft measures to resolve economic issues, according to the official KCNA news agency. 
 
The committee set goals and tasks to achieve its new five-year economic plan outlined at its previous session in February, including increased food and metal production. 
 
Kim said the overall economy had improved in the first half of the year, with the total industrial output growing 25% from a year before, KCNA said. 
 
But there was "a series of deviations" in the party`s efforts to implement the plans due to several obstacles, he said, singling out tight food supplies. 
 
"The people`s food situation is now getting tense as the agricultural sector failed to fulfil its grain production plan due to the damage by a typhoon last year," Kim said. 
 
The party vowed to direct all efforts to farm this year and discuss ways to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, KCNA said. 
 
Kim called for steps to minimise impacts of natural disasters as a lesson from last year and key to attaining this year`s goal. 
 
In January, Kim said his previous five-year economic plan had failed in almost every sector, amid chronic power and food shortages exacerbated by sanctions, the pandemic and floods. 
 
He also the protracted pandemic required the party to step up efforts to provide food, clothing and housing for the people, KCNA said. 
 
North Korea has not officially confirmed any COVID-19 cases, a claim questioned by Seoul officials. But the reclusive country has imposed strict anti-virus measures including border closures and domestic travel restrictions. 
 
COVAX, a global initiative for sharing COVID-19 vaccines with poor countries, has said it will provide nearly 2 million doses to North Korea but the shipment has been delayed amid protracted consultations.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the country`s economy improved this year but called for measures to tackle the "tense" food situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and last year`s typhoons, state media said on Wednesday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said the country`s economy improved this year but called for measures to tackle the "tense" food situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and last year`s typhoons, state media said on Wednesday. Kim chaired a plenary meeting of the ruling Workers` Party`s central committee on Tuesday to review progress on major policies and craft measures to resolve economic issues, according to the official KCNA news agency. The committee set goals and tasks to achieve its new five-year economic plan outlined at its previous session in February, including increased food and metal production. Kim said the overall economy had improved in the first half of the year, with the total industrial output growing 25% from a year before, KCNA said. But there was "a series of deviations" in the party`s efforts to implement the plans due to several obstacles, he said, singling out tight food supplies. "The people`s food situation is now getting tense as the agricultural sector failed to fulfil its grain production plan due to the damage by a typhoon last year," Kim said. The party vowed to direct all efforts to farm this year and discuss ways to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, KCNA said. Kim called for steps to minimise impacts of natural disasters as a lesson from last year and key to attaining this year`s goal. In January, Kim said his previous five-year economic plan had failed in almost every sector, amid chronic power and food shortages exacerbated by sanctions, the pandemic and floods. He also the protracted pandemic required the party to step up efforts to provide food, clothing and housing for the people, KCNA said. North Korea has not officially confirmed any COVID-19 cases, a claim questioned by Seoul officials. But the reclusive country has imposed strict anti-virus measures including border closures and domestic travel restrictions. COVAX, a global initiative for sharing COVID-19 vaccines with poor countries, has said it will provide nearly 2 million doses to North Korea but the shipment has been delayed amid protracted consultations.

North Korea’s Kim says food situation ‘tense’ due to pandemic, typhoons

Pope&nbsp;Francis on Sunday offered his prayers to the people of Ethiopia's conflict-wracked Tigray region, which has been hit by famine.

"I am particularly close to the people of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis which exposes the poorest to famine," he said during his Angelus prayer.

"Today there is famine, there is hunger. Let us pray together for an immediate end to the violence, for everyone to be guaranteed food and health assistance, and for the return as soon as possible of social harmony."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-analysis-about-350000-people-in-ethiopias-tigray-in-famine-390882">UN analysis: About 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray in famine</a>

The UN has said that over 90 per cent of the more than five million people in the Tigray region need emergency food aid, and has urgently appealed for more than $200 million to scale up its response.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into the northern region in November to detain and disarm leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the region's former ruling party.

He said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps.

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Though he vowed the conflict would be brief, fighting continues more than six months later and reports of atrocities, including the widespread use of rape, are proliferating.&nbsp;

Pope Francis on Sunday offered his prayers to the people of Ethiopia's conflict-wracked Tigray region, which has been hit by famine. "I am particularly close to the people of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis which exposes the poorest to famine," he said during his Angelus prayer.

Pope Francis on Sunday offered his prayers to the people of Ethiopia's conflict-wracked Tigray region, which has been hit by famine. "I am particularly close to the people of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis which exposes the poorest to famine," he said during his Angelus prayer. "Today there is famine, there is hunger. Let us pray together for an immediate end to the violence, for everyone to be guaranteed food and health assistance, and for the return as soon as possible of social harmony." Also read | UN analysis: About 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray in famine The UN has said that over 90 per cent of the more than five million people in the Tigray region need emergency food aid, and has urgently appealed for more than $200 million to scale up its response. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into the northern region in November to detain and disarm leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the region's former ruling party. He said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps. Though he vowed the conflict would be brief, fighting continues more than six months later and reports of atrocities, including the widespread use of rape, are proliferating.

Pope offers prayers for famine-hit Tigray

More than 350,000 people in&nbsp;Ethiopia's Tigray are suffering famine conditions, with millions more at risk, according to an analysis by United Nations agencies and aid groups that blamed conflict for the worst catastrophic food crisis in a decade.

"There is famine now in Tigray," UN&nbsp;aid chief Mark Lowcock said on Thursday after the release of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, which the IPC noted has not been endorsed by the&nbsp;Ethiopian government.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopias-tigray-at-serious-risk-of-famine-90-need-emergency-food-aid-388760">Ethiopia’s Tigray at ‘serious risk of famine, 90% need emergency food aid</a>

"The number of people in famine conditions ... is higher than anywhere in the world, at any moment since a quarter million Somalis lost their lives in 2011," Lowcock said.

Most of the 5.5 million people in Tigray need food aid. Fighting broke out in the region in November between government troops and the region's former ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Troops from neighbouring Eritrea also entered the conflict to support the&nbsp;Ethiopian government.

The violence has killed thousands of civilians and forced more than 2 million from their homes in the mountainous region.

The most extreme warning by the IPC - a scale used by UN&nbsp;agencies, regional bodies and aid groups to determine food insecurity - is phase 5, which starts with a catastrophe warning and rises to a declaration of famine in a region.

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The IPC said more than 350,000 people in Tigray are in phase 5 catastrophe. That means households are experiencing famine conditions, but less than 20 per cent of the population is affected and deaths and malnutrition have not reached famine thresholds.

"This severe crisis results from the cascading effects of conflict, including population displacements, movement restrictions, limited humanitarian access, loss of harvest and livelihood assets, and dysfunctional or non-existent markets," the IPC analysis found.

The&nbsp;Ethiopian government disputed the IPC analysis, saying food shortages are not severe and aid is being delivered.

Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dina Mufti told a news conference on Thursday that the government was providing food aid and help to farmers in Tigray.

"They (diplomats) are comparing it with the 1984, 1985 famine in&nbsp;Ethiopia," he said. "That is not going to happen."

The United States and the European Union, in a joint statement, called for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Eritrean troops, and humanitarian access to Tigray. It warned that the crisis threatened to destabilize the broader Horn of Africa region.

'Have to Act Now'

For famine to be declared, at least 20 per cent of the population must be suffering extreme food shortages, with one in three children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or from malnutrition and disease.

Famine has been declared twice in the past decade: in Somalia in 2011 and in parts of South Sudan in 2017.

"If the conflict further escalates or, for any other reason, humanitarian assistance is hampered, most areas of Tigray will be at risk of famine," according to the IPC, which added that even if aid deliveries are stepped up, the situation is expected to worsen through September.

US&nbsp;Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said a humanitarian nightmare was unfolding.

"This is not the kind of disaster that can be reversed," she told a US&nbsp;and EU event on Tigray on Thursday. Referring to a previous famine in&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;that killed more than 1 million people, she said: "We cannot make the same mistake twice. We cannot let&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;starve. We have to act now."

World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley said that to stop hunger from killing millions of people in Tigray, there needed to be a ceasefire, unimpeded aid access and more money to expand aid operations.

According to notes of a meeting of UN&nbsp;agencies on Monday, seen by Reuters, the IPC analysis could be worse as "they did not include those in Amhara-controlled areas" in western Tigray.

Mitiku Kassa, head of&nbsp;Ethiopia's National Disaster Risk Management Commission, said on Wednesday: "We don't have any food shortage."

More than 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray are suffering famine conditions, with millions more at risk, according to an analysis by United Nations agencies and aid groups that blamed conflict for the worst catastrophic food crisis in a decade.

More than 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray are suffering famine conditions, with millions more at risk, according to an analysis by United Nations agencies and aid groups that blamed conflict for the worst catastrophic food crisis in a decade. "There is famine now in Tigray," UN aid chief Mark Lowcock said on Thursday after the release of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, which the IPC noted has not been endorsed by the Ethiopian government. Also read | Ethiopia’s Tigray at ‘serious risk of famine, 90% need emergency food aid "The number of people in famine conditions ... is higher than anywhere in the world, at any moment since a quarter million Somalis lost their lives in 2011," Lowcock said. Most of the 5.5 million people in Tigray need food aid. Fighting broke out in the region in November between government troops and the region's former ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Troops from neighbouring Eritrea also entered the conflict to support the Ethiopian government. The violence has killed thousands of civilians and forced more than 2 million from their homes in the mountainous region. The most extreme warning by the IPC - a scale used by UN agencies, regional bodies and aid groups to determine food insecurity - is phase 5, which starts with a catastrophe warning and rises to a declaration of famine in a region. The IPC said more than 350,000 people in Tigray are in phase 5 catastrophe. That means households are experiencing famine conditions, but less than 20 per cent of the population is affected and deaths and malnutrition have not reached famine thresholds. "This severe crisis results from the cascading effects of conflict, including population displacements, movement restrictions, limited humanitarian access, loss of harvest and livelihood assets, and dysfunctional or non-existent markets," the IPC analysis found. The Ethiopian government disputed the IPC analysis, saying food shortages are not severe and aid is being delivered. Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dina Mufti told a news conference on Thursday that the government was providing food aid and help to farmers in Tigray. "They (diplomats) are comparing it with the 1984, 1985 famine in Ethiopia," he said. "That is not going to happen." The United States and the European Union, in a joint statement, called for an immediate ceasefire, the withdrawal of Eritrean troops, and humanitarian access to Tigray. It warned that the crisis threatened to destabilize the broader Horn of Africa region. 'Have to Act Now' For famine to be declared, at least 20 per cent of the population must be suffering extreme food shortages, with one in three children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or from malnutrition and disease. Famine has been declared twice in the past decade: in Somalia in 2011 and in parts of South Sudan in 2017. "If the conflict further escalates or, for any other reason, humanitarian assistance is hampered, most areas of Tigray will be at risk of famine," according to the IPC, which added that even if aid deliveries are stepped up, the situation is expected to worsen through September. US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said a humanitarian nightmare was unfolding. "This is not the kind of disaster that can be reversed," she told a US and EU event on Tigray on Thursday. Referring to a previous famine in Ethiopia that killed more than 1 million people, she said: "We cannot make the same mistake twice. We cannot let Ethiopia starve. We have to act now." World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley said that to stop hunger from killing millions of people in Tigray, there needed to be a ceasefire, unimpeded aid access and more money to expand aid operations. According to notes of a meeting of UN agencies on Monday, seen by Reuters, the IPC analysis could be worse as "they did not include those in Amhara-controlled areas" in western Tigray. Mitiku Kassa, head of Ethiopia's National Disaster Risk Management Commission, said on Wednesday: "We don't have any food shortage."

UN analysis: About 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray in famine

Ethiopia's war-hit Tigray region is facing emergency food insecurity and this condition can pose a serious risk of famine if assistance is not scaled up in the next two months, senior UN officials have warned.

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray in early November to disarm and detain leaders of the regional ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps. More than six months later, the fighting and abuses continue in Tigray, where the spectre of famine has been hovering for several months.

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Over 90 per cent of people in Ethiopia's troubled northern Tigray region need emergency food aid, the United Nations said Tuesday, as it appealed for $203 million to scale up its response.

"A total of 5.2 million people, equivalent to 91 per cent of Tigray's population, need emergency food assistance due to the conflict," World Food Programme (WFP) spokesman Tomson Phiri said in Geneva.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered 315,000 emergency nutrition rations to children and women since February in 31 woredas. In May, WFP reached almost 100,000 children and pregnant or nursing women in all zones except for Western.

WFP is responsible for emergency food assistance across Northwestern and Southern zones of Tigray.

The U.N. official estimated that "over 90% of the harvest was lost due to looting, burning, or other destruction, and that 80% of the livestock in the region were looted or slaughtered."

(With inputs from agencies)

Ethiopia's war-hit Tigray region is facing emergency food insecurity and this condition can pose a serious risk of famine if assistance is not scaled up in the next two months, senior UN officials have warned.

Ethiopia's war-hit Tigray region is facing emergency food insecurity and this condition can pose a serious risk of famine if assistance is not scaled up in the next two months, senior UN officials have warned. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops into Tigray in early November to disarm and detain leaders of the regional ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps. More than six months later, the fighting and abuses continue in Tigray, where the spectre of famine has been hovering for several months. A total of 5.2 million people, 91 percent of Tigray’s population, need emergency food assistance due to conflict since last November. × Over 90 per cent of people in Ethiopia's troubled northern Tigray region need emergency food aid, the United Nations said Tuesday, as it appealed for $203 million to scale up its response. "A total of 5.2 million people, equivalent to 91 per cent of Tigray's population, need emergency food assistance due to the conflict," World Food Programme (WFP) spokesman Tomson Phiri said in Geneva. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered 315,000 emergency nutrition rations to children and women since February in 31 woredas. In May, WFP reached almost 100,000 children and pregnant or nursing women in all zones except for Western. WFP is responsible for emergency food assistance across Northwestern and Southern zones of Tigray. The U.N. official estimated that "over 90% of the harvest was lost due to looting, burning, or other destruction, and that 80% of the livestock in the region were looted or slaughtered." (With inputs from agencies)

Ethiopia’s Tigray at ‘serious risk of famine, 90% need emergency food aid

The coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected everyone around the world, but it has majorly hit the poorer sections of society all around the world.

So much so, the United Nations (UN) has warned that over 30 million people are one step away from dying due to acute hunger in more than 20 countries.

According to a report published by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), which focuses on hunger hotspots, several families in areas of Yemen and South Sudan have already been targetted by acute hunger and starvation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-2-million-yemeni-children-may-starve-in-2021-un-says-363204" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/over-2-million-yemeni-children-may-starve-in-2021-un-says-363204&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjH1cbI8cjvAhUzzjgGHQi9AuIQFjAJegQIAhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2VD0ALi6P6oek841mAPWZo" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-2-million-yemeni-children-may-starve-in-2021-un-says-363204" target="_blank">Over 2 million Yemeni children may starve in 2021, UN says</a>

As of now, nearly 34 million people are already struggling with high levels of acute hunger known as IPC 4 (Integrated food security Phase Classification), which indicates that people in these groups are just "one step away from starvation".

"The magnitude of suffering is alarming," FAO director-general Qu Dongyu said. "It is incumbent upon all of us to act now and to act fast to save lives, safeguard livelihoods and prevent the worst situation."

Such a situation of acute hunger has been driven by international conflicts, climate changes, and the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives around the world and has forced several international governments and organisations to pull back funding for third-world countries.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-has-increased-social-inequality-in-uk-survey-369696">&nbsp;Coronavirus has increased social inequality in UK: Survey</a>

"In many regions, the planting season has just started or is about to start," Qu said. "We must run against the clock and not let this opportunity to protect, stabilise and even possibly increase local food production slip away."

While the majority of the identified hotspots are in Africa, areas such as Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Haiti, and the Caribbean have also been warned of the unfortunate situation.

"We are seeing a catastrophe unfold before our very eyes," WFP executive director David Beasley said. "Famine – driven by conflict, and fuelled by climate shocks and the Covid-19 pandemic – is knocking on the door for millions of families."

Beasley also added that increase in donations, access to vulnerable communities and an immediate decrease/halt in the violent conflicts are the three ways in which this disaster can be averted.

The coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected everyone around the world, but it has majorly hit the poorer sections of society all around the world. So much so, the United Nations (UN) has warned that over 30 million people are one step away from dying due to acute hunger in more than 20 countries.

The coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected everyone around the world, but it has majorly hit the poorer sections of society all around the world. So much so, the United Nations (UN) has warned that over 30 million people are one step away from dying due to acute hunger in more than 20 countries. According to a report published by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), which focuses on hunger hotspots, several families in areas of Yemen and South Sudan have already been targetted by acute hunger and starvation. Also read | Over 2 million Yemeni children may starve in 2021, UN says As of now, nearly 34 million people are already struggling with high levels of acute hunger known as IPC 4 (Integrated food security Phase Classification), which indicates that people in these groups are just "one step away from starvation". "The magnitude of suffering is alarming," FAO director-general Qu Dongyu said. "It is incumbent upon all of us to act now and to act fast to save lives, safeguard livelihoods and prevent the worst situation." Such a situation of acute hunger has been driven by international conflicts, climate changes, and the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed millions of lives around the world and has forced several international governments and organisations to pull back funding for third-world countries. Also read | Coronavirus has increased social inequality in UK: Survey "In many regions, the planting season has just started or is about to start," Qu said. "We must run against the clock and not let this opportunity to protect, stabilise and even possibly increase local food production slip away." While the majority of the identified hotspots are in Africa, areas such as Afghanistan, Syria, Lebanon, Haiti, and the Caribbean have also been warned of the unfortunate situation. "We are seeing a catastrophe unfold before our very eyes," WFP executive director David Beasley said. "Famine – driven by conflict, and fuelled by climate shocks and the Covid-19 pandemic – is knocking on the door for millions of families." Beasley also added that increase in donations, access to vulnerable communities and an immediate decrease/halt in the violent conflicts are the three ways in which this disaster can be averted.

'One step away from starvation': UN warns over 30 million could die of hunger

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> pandemic has caused grave danger for the socially disadvantaged groups of society all around the world.

Now, on Thursday, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that millions of people around the world may die of hunger if the conditions do not improve.

"Without immediate action, millions of people will reach the brink of extreme hunger and death," Guterres said in a meeting of the Security Council on the links between food and security.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-has-increased-social-inequality-in-uk-survey-369696">&nbsp;Coronavirus has increased social inequality in UK: Survey</a>

He has warned that more than 30 million people in more than three dozen countries risk dying due to extreme famine.

The UN has warned that these people from the socially disadvantaged groups are "just one step away from a declaration of famine."

He also pointed out that coronavirus and climate crisis is making things worse for such groups. "Climate shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic are adding fuel to the flames," he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-and-hispanic-communities-grapple-with-vaccine-misinformation-369476" hreflang="en">Black and Hispanic communities grapple with vaccine misinformation</a>

Guterres also urged people to come ahead and help people by donating and volunteering.&nbsp;

"I have one simple message: if you don't feed people, you feed conflict," he said. "Famine and hunger are no longer about lack of food. They are now largely man-made — and I use the term deliberately.

"There is no place for famine and starvation in the 21st century."

Taking help of numbers to thrust his concern, he reported that at the end of the pandemic year 2020, more than 88 million people were suffering from acute hunger, which has been worsened due to conflicts and instability.

The year 2020 saw an increase of 20 per cent within a year, he reported, stressing that the trend seems to be worsening in 2021.

He also highlighted that areas such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, South Sudan, Yemen and Afghanistan are the high-risk zones.

Guterres also took this opportunity to announce the launch of a task force "to avert catastrophe". This hs been set up as the World Food Program and UN Food and Agriculture Organization appealed for emergency mobilisation of $5.5 billion.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused grave danger for the socially disadvantaged groups of society all around the world. Now, on Thursday, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that millions of people around the world may die of hunger if the conditions do not improve.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused grave danger for the socially disadvantaged groups of society all around the world. Now, on Thursday, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned that millions of people around the world may die of hunger if the conditions do not improve. "Without immediate action, millions of people will reach the brink of extreme hunger and death," Guterres said in a meeting of the Security Council on the links between food and security. Also read | Coronavirus has increased social inequality in UK: Survey He has warned that more than 30 million people in more than three dozen countries risk dying due to extreme famine. The UN has warned that these people from the socially disadvantaged groups are "just one step away from a declaration of famine." He also pointed out that coronavirus and climate crisis is making things worse for such groups. "Climate shocks and the COVID-19 pandemic are adding fuel to the flames," he said. Also read | Black and Hispanic communities grapple with vaccine misinformation Guterres also urged people to come ahead and help people by donating and volunteering. "I have one simple message: if you don't feed people, you feed conflict," he said. "Famine and hunger are no longer about lack of food. They are now largely man-made — and I use the term deliberately. "There is no place for famine and starvation in the 21st century." Taking help of numbers to thrust his concern, he reported that at the end of the pandemic year 2020, more than 88 million people were suffering from acute hunger, which has been worsened due to conflicts and instability. The year 2020 saw an increase of 20 per cent within a year, he reported, stressing that the trend seems to be worsening in 2021. He also highlighted that areas such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, South Sudan, Yemen and Afghanistan are the high-risk zones. Guterres also took this opportunity to announce the launch of a task force "to avert catastrophe". This hs been set up as the World Food Program and UN Food and Agriculture Organization appealed for emergency mobilisation of $5.5 billion.

More than 30 million risk dying from hunger: UN chief Antonio Guterres

The year 2020 — dubbed as the 'pandemic year' — has been one of the worst years due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many have been waiting for this year to end so that they get a fresh start in the year 2021. However, experts believe 2021 will, instead, be&nbsp;“catastrophic”.

David Beasley, the Chief of the World Food Programme has raised concerns about the upcoming year and has warned people to brace themselves for a&nbsp;“catastrophic” humanitarian crises.

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As per the experts, 2021 can be one of the worst years human beings have seen in almost a century. The year can bring in extreme starvation and famine, especially in the third-world countries.

Beasley sounded the alarm in the&nbsp;United Nations General Assembly during a discussion about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its effects on the world. As per the WFP, nearly 270 million people around the globe are "marching toward starvation" and the experts are predicting a famine.

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"2021 is literally going to be catastrophic, based on what we're seeing at this stage in the game," Beasley said. He also pointed out lack of funds which has happened "because we've spent $19 trillion, that money may not, and will not most likely be available for 2021."

"We’re now looking literally at 2021 being the worst humanitarian crisis year since the beginning of the United Nations, and we’re going to have to step up," he continued.

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Beasley said it is not simply the pandemic which has led to this catastrophic situation. While the pandemic and the government-regulated lockdowns have brought a steep decline in human progress, the "man-made conflict", too, has played a major role in this situation, especially in countries such as&nbsp;Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan.

"We’ve got to end some of these wars. We’ve got to bring these wars to an end, so we can achieve the sustainable development goals that we so desire," he said. Explaining the situation with the metaphor of Titanic, he continued, "If we’re strategic and put the funds to these particular icebergs before us, I believe that we can get through 2021, while we work with the vaccines and rebuild the economies."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/the-west-asia-post-child-malnutrition-soars-in-yemen-347944">WATCH|</a>

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Earlier, too, WFP had warned governments about a possible spike of 80 per cent in people facing malnutrition by the end of the year. The organisation had warned against a "famine of biblical proportions" and had predicted death of nearly 1.2 million under the age of five within six months.

The year 2020 — dubbed as the 'pandemic year' — has been one of the worst years due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many have been waiting for this year to end so that they get a fresh start in the year 2021.

The year 2020 — dubbed as the 'pandemic year' — has been one of the worst years due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Many have been waiting for this year to end so that they get a fresh start in the year 2021. However, experts believe 2021 will, instead, be “catastrophic”. David Beasley, the Chief of the World Food Programme has raised concerns about the upcoming year and has warned people to brace themselves for a “catastrophic” humanitarian crises. Also read| Around 29 million women and girls victims of modern slavery: UN report As per the experts, 2021 can be one of the worst years human beings have seen in almost a century. The year can bring in extreme starvation and famine, especially in the third-world countries. Beasley sounded the alarm in the United Nations General Assembly during a discussion about the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and its effects on the world. As per the WFP, nearly 270 million people around the globe are "marching toward starvation" and the experts are predicting a famine. Also read| One stillbirth every 16 seconds and this could get worse due to COVID-19 pandemic "2021 is literally going to be catastrophic, based on what we're seeing at this stage in the game," Beasley said. He also pointed out lack of funds which has happened "because we've spent $19 trillion, that money may not, and will not most likely be available for 2021." "We’re now looking literally at 2021 being the worst humanitarian crisis year since the beginning of the United Nations, and we’re going to have to step up," he continued. Also read| UN, NGOs shaken by DR Congo sex abuse claims Beasley said it is not simply the pandemic which has led to this catastrophic situation. While the pandemic and the government-regulated lockdowns have brought a steep decline in human progress, the "man-made conflict", too, has played a major role in this situation, especially in countries such as Syria, Yemen, and South Sudan. "We’ve got to end some of these wars. We’ve got to bring these wars to an end, so we can achieve the sustainable development goals that we so desire," he said. Explaining the situation with the metaphor of Titanic, he continued, "If we’re strategic and put the funds to these particular icebergs before us, I believe that we can get through 2021, while we work with the vaccines and rebuild the economies." WATCH| × Earlier, too, WFP had warned governments about a possible spike of 80 per cent in people facing malnutrition by the end of the year. The organisation had warned against a "famine of biblical proportions" and had predicted death of nearly 1.2 million under the age of five within six months.

World Food Programme warns 2021 will bring 'catastrophic' humanitarian crisis

United Nations' World Food Programme has warned people across Burkina Faso, Mali & Niger will face catastrophic levels of hunger if the international community fails to act soon.

World Food Programme appeals for access as famine appears in Sahel

The coronavirus will be deadly even for those not infected by it. The virus from China is choking the jugular vein of human survival. Also read: Coronavirus: Drones in Italy measure temperature and issue fines too Food: A near-universal lockdown has meant that farmers across the world have no way to take their products out of the farms.

The coronavirus will be deadly even for those not infected by it. The virus from China is choking the jugular vein of human survival. Also read: Coronavirus: Drones in Italy measure temperature and issue fines too Food: A near-universal lockdown has meant that farmers across the world have no way to take their products out of the farms. Also read: Simulation shows how single droplet of coronavirus cough can spread in supermarket Food is not reaching people for consumption. A lot of it is perishable and left with no choice, many farmers are dumping what they've grown. On the one hand, food is being thrown away. On the other, shelves in grocery stores lie empty. Panic buying is making matters worse The coronavirus pandemic has snapped global food supply chains and this is serious because food supply chains provide 80 per cent of all food consumed in the world. Lockdowns have led to transport restrictions. Air, sea and land transport have all been hit and that has hampered the movement of food. Airfreight planes have been largely grounded and shipping containers are hard to find with ports stuck with huge backlog of uncleared shipments. Food trucks and lorries are in short supply, making deliveries of fresh food increasingly difficult blocking shipments of vegetables from Africa to Europe and fruits from South America to the United States. It was disrupted last week, the world food program assured that they have adequate stock of staple food supplies to deal with the current crisis. But things are going from bad to worse. Fear of food shortages has led to countries cutting back on food exports. Russia, the world’s largest wheat producer, has suspended exports of processed grains like buckwheat and oat flakes. Vietnam, a major exporter of rice, has stopped exports altogether so has India, a major producer of rice. The problem doesn't end there, India fears crop losses on a wide scale. The lockdown has sent masses of workers to home farms and markets don't have the labour force needed to keep the wheels turning and staple crops like wheat face the threat of rotting on the fields. In the United States too migrant workers comprise the bulk of farm and agriculture labour. The lockdown has meant a chronic shortage of hands. It's the same story in Europe, border closures have cut off the inflow of labourers. Farms doing spring planting in the UK are struggling to find workers to pick crops like strawberries and lettuce. It's not a situation that will be resolved in a hurry. Lockdowns are being extended the world over and the long-term impact on global food supply could be devastating. The United Nations’ food and agriculture organisation has warned of a price hike. Countries that import food are rushing to stock up staple foods and pushing up prices. Experts say the number of people going hungry around the world could increase dramatically in the coming months with reports warning the world of a looming famine.

Global coronavirus impact: Panic buying, transport disruption and looming famine

Government and aid agencies are in a race against time in<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.wionews.com/world/cyclone-idai-at-least-157-killed-in-zimbabwe-mozambique-204116&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjnzdSGsc_hAhVFpY8KHWzwBb8QFggIMAE&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw0wMR1uUxSemzeWLeoBC2tY"> cyclone</a>-hit Mozambique as looming famine and logistical challenges are threatening to make an already bad situation worse.

On March 14, Cyclone Idai made landfall in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mozambique-confirms-first-cholera-cases-in-wake-of-cyclone-206016">Mozambique</a>, bringing devastation to the port city of Beira and surrounding areas.

In the following days, the weather system swept through the central region, causing massive flooding and leaving entire communities submerged under 10 meters of water.

One of the worst-affected areas is Buzi in central Mozambique, where many residents are small-scale farmers who depend on their crops for sustenance.

Amelia Zinarimwe has been toiling away on this land for the last three decades. Before Cyclone Idai made its disastrous landfall and destroyed her home, she was getting ready to harvest her maize crop.

But before she could put hands on the crops, the flood came robbing months of hard work.

"I am suffering, I don't have any food or a place to sleep. Not even seedlings to replant," said Zinarimwe.

Right now, Zinarimwe is bending down, picking sweet potato leaves, the only thing she can afford to put on the dinner table.

"80 per cent of the people in this region are relying on these crops or fishery which have been basically wiped out," said Mathieu Leonard, a field coordinator with the Red Cross.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, food has been distributed from day one, so far-reaching one million people and more than 100,000 people have received emergency shelter.

But still, the aid is a race against time: not everyone in the affected areas in central Mozambique has received humanitarian assistance due to lack of access.

"There are a lot of challenges. Logistics is a very difficult issue. There are still many areas that can only be accessible by helicopter and not even a landing land.

So the roads are being cleared since the disaster happened, but there are still a lot of places that cannot really be accessible," said Leonard.

In places like Buzi, one of the worst-affected areas, aid has begun arriving. Thousands of local residents were evacuated earlier to makeshift camps in Biera. Their land now lies idle, with low lying rice fields destroyed.

Government and aid agencies are in a race against time in cyclone-hit Mozambique as looming famine and logistical challenges are threatening to make an already bad situation worse.

Government and aid agencies are in a race against time in cyclone-hit Mozambique as looming famine and logistical challenges are threatening to make an already bad situation worse. On March 14, Cyclone Idai made landfall in Mozambique, bringing devastation to the port city of Beira and surrounding areas. In the following days, the weather system swept through the central region, causing massive flooding and leaving entire communities submerged under 10 meters of water. One of the worst-affected areas is Buzi in central Mozambique, where many residents are small-scale farmers who depend on their crops for sustenance. Amelia Zinarimwe has been toiling away on this land for the last three decades. Before Cyclone Idai made its disastrous landfall and destroyed her home, she was getting ready to harvest her maize crop. But before she could put hands on the crops, the flood came robbing months of hard work. "I am suffering, I don't have any food or a place to sleep. Not even seedlings to replant," said Zinarimwe. Right now, Zinarimwe is bending down, picking sweet potato leaves, the only thing she can afford to put on the dinner table. "80 per cent of the people in this region are relying on these crops or fishery which have been basically wiped out," said Mathieu Leonard, a field coordinator with the Red Cross. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, food has been distributed from day one, so far-reaching one million people and more than 100,000 people have received emergency shelter. But still, the aid is a race against time: not everyone in the affected areas in central Mozambique has received humanitarian assistance due to lack of access. "There are a lot of challenges. Logistics is a very difficult issue. There are still many areas that can only be accessible by helicopter and not even a landing land. So the roads are being cleared since the disaster happened, but there are still a lot of places that cannot really be accessible," said Leonard. In places like Buzi, one of the worst-affected areas, aid has begun arriving. Thousands of local residents were evacuated earlier to makeshift camps in Biera. Their land now lies idle, with low lying rice fields destroyed.

Looming famine, logistical challenges hinder aid efforts in Mozambique following cyclone

A U.S.-funded famine survey said on Tuesday that thousands of Yemenis could die daily if a Saudi-led military coalition does not lift its blockade on the country&rsquo;s key ports.

The warning came a day after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said 2.5 million people in Yemen&rsquo;s crowded cities had no access to clean water, raising the risk that a cholera epidemic will spread.

Using the internationally recognized IPC 5-point scale for classifying food security, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) said that even before the current blockade, 15 million people were in &ldquo;crisis&rdquo; (IPC Phase 3) or worse.

&ldquo;Therefore, a prolonged closure of key ports risks an unprecedented deterioration in food security to Famine (IPC Phase 5) across large areas of the country,&rdquo; it said.

It said famine is likely in many areas within three or four months if ports remain closed, with some less accessible areas at even greater risk. In such a scenario, shortages of food and fuel would drive up prices, and a lack of medical supplies would exacerbate life-threatening diseases.

&ldquo;Thousands of deaths would occur each day due to the lack of food and disease outbreaks,&rdquo; said FEWS NET, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Famine remained likely even if the southern port of Aden is open, its report said, adding that all Yemeni ports should be reopened to essential imports.

The United Nations has said the Saudi-led coalition must allow aid in through Hodeidah port, controlled by the Houthis, the Saudis&rsquo; enemies in the war in Yemen. 
U.N. humanitarian agencies have issued dire warnings about the impact of the blockade, although U.N. officials have declined to directly criticise Saudi Arabia.

Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council and a former U.N. aid chief, was blunt in his criticism, however.

&ldquo;US, UK &amp; other allies of Saudi has only weeks to avoid being complicit in a famine of Biblical proportions. Lift the blockade now,&rdquo; he wrote in a tweet.

Last year Saudi Arabia was accused by then U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of exerting &ldquo;unacceptable&rdquo; undue pressure to keep itself off a blacklist of countries that kill children in conflict, after sources told Reuters that Riyadh had threatened to cut some U.N. funding. Saudi Arabia denied this.

The blockade had been effected by a Saudi-led military coalition

A U.S.-funded famine survey said on Tuesday that thousands of Yemenis could die daily if a Saudi-led military coalition does not lift its blockade on the country’s key ports. The warning came a day after the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said 2.5 million people in Yemen’s crowded cities had no access to clean water, raising the risk that a cholera epidemic will spread. Using the internationally recognized IPC 5-point scale for classifying food security, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) said that even before the current blockade, 15 million people were in “crisis” (IPC Phase 3) or worse. “Therefore, a prolonged closure of key ports risks an unprecedented deterioration in food security to Famine (IPC Phase 5) across large areas of the country,” it said. It said famine is likely in many areas within three or four months if ports remain closed, with some less accessible areas at even greater risk. In such a scenario, shortages of food and fuel would drive up prices, and a lack of medical supplies would exacerbate life-threatening diseases. “Thousands of deaths would occur each day due to the lack of food and disease outbreaks,” said FEWS NET, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Famine remained likely even if the southern port of Aden is open, its report said, adding that all Yemeni ports should be reopened to essential imports. The United Nations has said the Saudi-led coalition must allow aid in through Hodeidah port, controlled by the Houthis, the Saudis’ enemies in the war in Yemen. U.N. humanitarian agencies have issued dire warnings about the impact of the blockade, although U.N. officials have declined to directly criticise Saudi Arabia. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council and a former U.N. aid chief, was blunt in his criticism, however. “US, UK & other allies of Saudi has only weeks to avoid being complicit in a famine of Biblical proportions. Lift the blockade now,” he wrote in a tweet. Last year Saudi Arabia was accused by then U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon of exerting “unacceptable” undue pressure to keep itself off a blacklist of countries that kill children in conflict, after sources told Reuters that Riyadh had threatened to cut some U.N. funding. Saudi Arabia denied this.

US famine survey warns of thousands dying daily in Yemen if ports remain closed

UN aid agencies need $4.4 billion in emergency funding to address famine in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday.

More than 20 million people face&nbsp;starvation in the four countries and action is needed now to avert a humanitarian disaster, Guterres told a news conference at UN headquarters.

&quot;We need $4.4 billion by the end of March to avert a catastrophe,&quot; he said.

So far, the United Nations has raised $90 million to fund a global response to the four famine alerts, which are unprecedented in recent decades.

South Sudan on Monday declared a famine in parts of the north, while Fews Net, the famine early warning system, has said that some remote areas of northeast Nigeria are affected by starvation since late last year.

There has only been one famine since 2000, in Somalia. At least 260,000 people died in the 2011 disaster , half of them children under the age of five, according to the UN World Food Program.

The UN children&#39;s agency UNICEF this week said almost 1.4 million children acutely malnourished in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen could die as food shortages worsen in the coming months.

Of the four famine alerts, only one, Somalia, is caused by drought, while the other three stem from conflicts, described as &quot;man-made food crises.&quot;

In Yemen, where war has been raging for nearly two years, about 7.3 million people need food aid now, in the &quot;largest food insecurity emergency in the world,&quot; said Guterres.

Un-blocking aid

The Saudi-led coalition waging a military campaign against rebels in Yemen has been accused of imposing a blockade on Yemen, which relies almost entirely on imports.

The UN chief appealed to warring sides to allow aid workers to reach starving civilians.

&quot;The situation is so dire. This is the moment in which international humanitarian law must be respected by all and access must be granted to all areas,&quot; said Guterres.

Across northeast Nigeria, some 5.1 million people face severe food shortages and nearly 500,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition as the conflict with Boko Haram militants grinds on.&nbsp;

Famine has already been declared in two counties of South Sudan and nearly 5 million people are in desperate need of food.

Guterres, who took over from Ban Ki-moon on January 1, appeared at a news conference with top aid officials who stressed they had contingency plans in place, but needed funds to swing into action.

The appeal came as humanitarian aid groups are already struggling to meet needs in Syria and cope with the global refugee crisis.

The International Rescue Committee said Wednesday that the famine designation in South Sudan meant that people were already dying and that the international response was too late.

&quot;These crises remain among the least discussed and most underfunded in the world despite their extraordinary scale, scope and man-made origins. This is absurd,&quot; said Ciaran Donnelly, international programs director at the IRC.

&quot;The IRC and other aid groups have been raising the alarm of an impending famine in South Sudan for months, and instead of taking the warnings seriously, it fell largely on deaf ears,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

(AFP)

More than 20 million people face?starvation in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen

UN aid agencies need $4.4 billion in emergency funding to address famine in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday. More than 20 million people face starvation in the four countries and action is needed now to avert a humanitarian disaster, Guterres told a news conference at UN headquarters. "We need $4.4 billion by the end of March to avert a catastrophe," he said. So far, the United Nations has raised $90 million to fund a global response to the four famine alerts, which are unprecedented in recent decades. South Sudan on Monday declared a famine in parts of the north, while Fews Net, the famine early warning system, has said that some remote areas of northeast Nigeria are affected by starvation since late last year. There has only been one famine since 2000, in Somalia. At least 260,000 people died in the 2011 disaster , half of them children under the age of five, according to the UN World Food Program. The UN children's agency UNICEF this week said almost 1.4 million children acutely malnourished in Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen could die as food shortages worsen in the coming months. Of the four famine alerts, only one, Somalia, is caused by drought, while the other three stem from conflicts, described as "man-made food crises." In Yemen, where war has been raging for nearly two years, about 7.3 million people need food aid now, in the "largest food insecurity emergency in the world," said Guterres. Un-blocking aid The Saudi-led coalition waging a military campaign against rebels in Yemen has been accused of imposing a blockade on Yemen, which relies almost entirely on imports. The UN chief appealed to warring sides to allow aid workers to reach starving civilians. "The situation is so dire. This is the moment in which international humanitarian law must be respected by all and access must be granted to all areas," said Guterres. Across northeast Nigeria, some 5.1 million people face severe food shortages and nearly 500,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition as the conflict with Boko Haram militants grinds on. Famine has already been declared in two counties of South Sudan and nearly 5 million people are in desperate need of food. Guterres, who took over from Ban Ki-moon on January 1, appeared at a news conference with top aid officials who stressed they had contingency plans in place, but needed funds to swing into action. The appeal came as humanitarian aid groups are already struggling to meet needs in Syria and cope with the global refugee crisis. The International Rescue Committee said Wednesday that the famine designation in South Sudan meant that people were already dying and that the international response was too late. "These crises remain among the least discussed and most underfunded in the world despite their extraordinary scale, scope and man-made origins. This is absurd," said Ciaran Donnelly, international programs director at the IRC. "The IRC and other aid groups have been raising the alarm of an impending famine in South Sudan for months, and instead of taking the warnings seriously, it fell largely on deaf ears," he added. (AFP)

UN needs emergency funding of $4.4 bn for famine relief in four countries

Parts of war-ravaged&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;have been hit by famine, a government official said on Monday, saying nearly half the country&#39;s population would lack reliable access to affordable food by July.&nbsp;

Oil-rich&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;has been mired in civil war since 2013, when President Salva Kii fired his deputy. Since then the fighting has increasingly split the country along ethnic lines, leading the United Nations to warn of a potential genocide.&nbsp;

The fighting has prevented many farmers from harvesting their crops while hyper inflation which reached more than 800 per cent last year has put the price of imported food beyond the reach of many.&nbsp;

Parts of the country have also been hit by drought.&nbsp;

Chairman of&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&#39;s National Bureau of Statistic Isaiah Chol Aruai said 4.9 million people what is termed &quot;food insecure&quot; between February and April, with that number rising to 5.5 million by July.

&quot;The long term effects of the conflict coupled with high food prices, economic crisis, low agricultural production and depleted livelihood options are all contributing to deterioration of food security situation,&quot; he told a news conference in Juba.&nbsp;

According to the United Nations, famine is declared when at least 20 per cent of households in an area face extreme food shortages, acute malnutrition rates exceed 30 per cent, and two or more people per 10,000 are dying per day.

United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Eugene Owuso said that food insecurity is largely because of conflict as well as other factors.

&quot;Largely because of the insecurity, is largely because the access challenges humanitarians have periodically had, it&#39;s also because of attacks on humanitarian workers and also the looting of humanitarian assets,&quot; he said.

Many parts of the country are very hard to reach. Six years after independence from neighbouring Sudan,&nbsp;South&nbsp;Sudan&nbsp;only has only 200 km (120 miles) of paved roads in a nation the size of Texas. Fighting also impedes aid delivery; warehouses have been looted and aid workers have been killed.

(Reuters)

Fighting has prevented many farmers from harvesting their crops while hyper inflation?has put imported food beyond the reach of many

Parts of war-ravaged South Sudan have been hit by famine, a government official said on Monday, saying nearly half the country's population would lack reliable access to affordable food by July. Oil-rich South Sudan has been mired in civil war since 2013, when President Salva Kii fired his deputy. Since then the fighting has increasingly split the country along ethnic lines, leading the United Nations to warn of a potential genocide. The fighting has prevented many farmers from harvesting their crops while hyper inflation which reached more than 800 per cent last year has put the price of imported food beyond the reach of many. Parts of the country have also been hit by drought. Chairman of South Sudan's National Bureau of Statistic Isaiah Chol Aruai said 4.9 million people what is termed "food insecure" between February and April, with that number rising to 5.5 million by July. "The long term effects of the conflict coupled with high food prices, economic crisis, low agricultural production and depleted livelihood options are all contributing to deterioration of food security situation," he told a news conference in Juba. According to the United Nations, famine is declared when at least 20 per cent of households in an area face extreme food shortages, acute malnutrition rates exceed 30 per cent, and two or more people per 10,000 are dying per day. United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator Eugene Owuso said that food insecurity is largely because of conflict as well as other factors. "Largely because of the insecurity, is largely because the access challenges humanitarians have periodically had, it's also because of attacks on humanitarian workers and also the looting of humanitarian assets," he said. Many parts of the country are very hard to reach. Six years after independence from neighbouring Sudan, South Sudan only has only 200 km (120 miles) of paved roads in a nation the size of Texas. Fighting also impedes aid delivery; warehouses have been looted and aid workers have been killed. (Reuters)

Famine hits South Sudan, about half the country will lack reliable access to affordable food by July?

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