FAO: Death of Millions Due to Starvation Is Unacceptable in 21st Century

February 17 / Yamanyoon

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) confirmed on Friday that it is unacceptable in the 21st century to see 20 million people at risk of starvation in various parts of the world.

FAO director at the Emergency and Rehabilitation Division, Dominique Bargeon, called on the international community to find solutions for the armed conflicts in some countries through political means to enable the United Nations agencies and relief organizations to do their function safely and deliver humanitarian aid urgently.

Bargeon said in remarks carried out by Belgian’s state media on Friday that there are four areas in the world currently suffering from hunger, such as Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria and Somalia.

“There are 20 million people suffering from severe food shortages in these areas and we are afraid of losing their lives because of starvation in the upcoming six months”, he said.

The UN official described the situation in those four countries as “tragic”, stressing that the population does not have access to basic food, and sometimes forced to sell their property and their livestock for food.

He said that the FAO is very concerned about this situation, pointing out that this situation is the worst in 20 years.

This coincides with many international organizations appealing to address famine that threaten South Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and many other regions in the world.