GLOBAL CATASTROPHE: UN warns 20 MILLION could die in 2017 in world’s biggest ever famine
THE world is on the brink of the most catastrophic humanitarian crisis since the Second World War, according to the UN, with 20 MILLION lives at risk.
By HELENE PERKINS
Express.co.uk
Sat, Mar 11, 2017
Fears are rife “a catastrophe” could rock the globe with more than 20 million people facing starvation and famine in Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan and Nigeria.
Stephen O’Brien, the UN under secretary-general for humanitarian affairs, issued the stark warning “people will simply starve to death” and “many more will suffer and die from disease.”
Mr O’Brien said: “We stand at a critical point in history.
“Already at the beginning of the year we are facing the largest humanitarian crisis since the creation of the United Nations.”
“Now, more than 20 million people across four countries face starvation and famine.
“Without collective and coordinated global efforts, people will simply starve to death. Many more will suffer and die from disease.
“Children stunted and out of school. Livelihoods, futures and hope will be lost.
“Communities’ resilience rapidly wilting away. Development gains reversed. Many will be displaced and will continue to move in search for survival, creating ever more instability across entire regions.”
He made the warning to the security council in New York on Friday.
Mr O’Brien said a major injection of cash was needed now for Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia and northeast Nigeria “to avert a catastrophe.”
He added: “To be precise, we need $4.4bn (£3.6 billion) by July”.
Unicef have warned 1.4 million children could starve to death this year.
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