Unic Press UK: Famine and starvation are rife in many countries, including Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria and Kenya; the United Nations said on Friday, calling on the international community to embark on a comprehensive action to save millions of people from “starving to death.”
The alarming situation relating to the outbreak of famine was disclosed to the Security Council by the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Stephen O’Brien, on Friday, the 10th March 2017. While addressing the Council, 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 UN.”
In February, the new UN Secretary General had raised serious concern over the rate at which famine was spreading, saying “Famine is already a reality in parts of South Sudan. Unless we act now, it is only a matter of time until it affects other areas and other countries. We are already facing a tragedy; we must avoid it becoming a catastrophe.”
In South Sudan, the UN said that over 7.5 million people need urgent assistance. In Somalia, circa 6.2 million people need humanitarian aid. 2.7 million people are affected in Kenya.
The UN is canvassing for urgent “collective and coordinated global efforts” to save millions of people from starving to death and succumbing to disease.
