Conflicts Drive Hunger Despite Strong Global Food Supply: UN Report
Sumaira FH Published December 08, 2017 | 10:50 AM
Despite strong global food supply, localized drought, flooding and protracted conflicts have intensified and perpetuated food insecurity, the U.N. agriculture agency reported Friday
UNITED NATIONS,(APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 08th Dec, 2017 ) :Despite strong global food supply, localized drought, flooding and protracted conflicts have intensified and perpetuated food insecurity, the U.N.
agriculture agency reported Friday. The new edition of the UN Food and Agriculture Agency's (FAO) Crop Prospects and Food Situation report revealed that some 37 countries , 29 of which are in Africa require external food assistance.
"Ongoing conflicts continue to be a key driver of severe food insecurity, having triggered near-famine conditions in northern Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen, as well as widespread hunger in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria," FAO stated.
The report also said that conflict impedes productive activities, hinders access to food and significantly intensifies the numbers of internally displaced people. "In Africa, the report details that urgently in need food of assistance are about 1.1 million people in the Central Africa Republic; some 7.7 million in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which hosts more than 200,000 refugees and four million internally displaced persons; over three million in northern Nigeria; some 4.8 million in South Sudan; and 3.1 million in Somalia a number that has tripled over the past year.
Elsewhere, it points out that chronic hunger or food insecurity is confronted by 7.6 million in Afghanistan; 3.2 million in Iraq; and 6.5 million in Syria. Moreover, in Yemen 17 million, or 60 per cent of the population, are believed to require urgent humanitarian assistance.
The report notes that should November's maritime port closures be repeated the country would risk famine. In some regions, adverse weather conditions are taking their toll on farm food outputs, notably due to drought in East Africa and floods in parts of Asia.
Some 8.5 million people are estimated to be food insecure in Ethiopia, especially in the Somali region. Consecutive unfavourable rainy seasons have curtailed crop and livestock production in Kenya, leaving about 2.6 million people severely food insecure.
The report also flags concerns in Bangladesh, where three episodes of flash floods this year caused substantial damage to the rice crop. A severe summer drought has also cut Mongolia's wheat harvest by almost half.
Despite local negative trends, the report points out that, overall, global food production is booming. In addition, production gains are being recorded in many low-income food-deficit countries, where the aggregate cereal output is forecast to grow by two per cent this year.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Mired in crisis, Boeing reports another loss
Session Awarding Ceremony 2024 held at Cadet College Muzaffarabad
Austrian ski great Hirscher to make comeback under Dutch flag
Pakistan, Japan agrees to convene 'Economic Policy Dialogue'
FM Dar conveys deepest sympathy on torrential rains devastation in UAE
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
Osaka seals first win on clay since 2022 in Madrid
Earthquake jolts Karachi
Sindh minister orders operation after attack on police in Ghotki
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
More Stories From World
-
Football: English Championship table
2 hours ago -
Time for 'democratic transition' in Venezuela: opposition candidate to AFP
2 hours ago -
Spain's Pedro Sanchez : a risk-taker with a flair for survival
2 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 table
3 hours ago -
Nadal will only play French Open if he can 'compete well'
3 hours ago -
Ukraine, Israel, TikTok: the massive aid package before US Congress
3 hours ago
-
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
3 hours ago -
Football: French Ligue 1 results
3 hours ago -
Spain PM Sanchez says weighing resignation after wife's graft probe
4 hours ago -
Long-lost Klimt portrait auctioned off for 30 mn euros
4 hours ago -
TikTok to fight US ban law in courts
4 hours ago -
Anger among Ukrainians in Poland as Kyiv halts passport renewals
4 hours ago