World hunger spells crisis on the horizon, UN warns

After years of decline, the number of people in the world suffering from famine is predicted to increase
according to the report released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at its biennial conference
in Rome last July 3.

 

War and drought are considered to be the two main reasons behind the escalating threat of world hunger.
In high risk countries like South Sudan, Nigeria, Somalia, and Yemen, almost 20 million people suffer
from starvation brought by the conflict and weather disturbances. The recent statistics fueled up
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals that was adopted in 2015, in an effort to achieve zero hunger by 2030. 

“About 60 percent of the people suffering from hunger in the world live in areas affected by conflict
and the impact of climate change,” Jose Graziano da Silva, director-general, UN Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO) said. 

 

Pope Francis expressed his strong support towards preventing global hunger from threatening humanity.
The pontiff stated that solidarity and recognition of human rights are important in battling the said crisis.
In relation to his approval to the program, Pope Francis announced that he will visit FAO in person on the
celebration of World Food Day on October 16.

 

"Peace is of course the key to ending these crises, but we cannot wait for peace to take action.
It is extremely important to ensure that these people have the conditions to continue producing their own food.
Vulnerable rural people cannot be left behind, especially youth and women," da Silva added.