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Apr.21 — David Beasley, executive director of the United Nations’ World Food Programme, discusses the impact the coronavirus outbreak is having on global food supply.
The economic hardship in the developing world caused by the spread of the virus may lead to starvation, eclipsing the disease’s direct toll on health, according to the WFP. Beasley speaks on “Bloomberg Daybreak: Asia.”
What has the UN issued a warning about regarding some of the poorest nations in the world?
The United Nations has recently issued a warning that starvation is now a greater risk than the coronavirus for some of the poorest nations in the world. COVID-19 has brought about unprecedented challenges to the global community, and while the virus continues to wreak havoc in developed nations, it is the vulnerable and marginalized populations who are suffering the most severe consequences of this pandemic.
According to the report published by the UN, up to 12,000 people could die each day from hunger over the next few months, a figure that surpasses the number of COVID-19 deaths in these impoverished regions. The report further states that as many as 265 million people could face acute food insecurity, up from 135 million before the pandemic.
This is a dire warning that highlights the crucial need for immediate action from the international community to address the enormous humanitarian crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The poorest and most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of this pandemic, and the situation is only likely to worsen unless action is taken.
The report points out that while the virus has disrupted food supply chains, the main reason for the crisis stems from the economic fallout of the pandemic. Losing their livelihoods and source of income, millions of people in developing nations are unable to afford basic necessities such as food and water. The lack of access to healthcare and basic sanitation also heightens the risk of malnutrition and starvation.
The report highlights the need for the international community to prioritize addressing the economic consequences of COVID-19 in developing nations. Providing financial assistance and facilitating international trade could help alleviate the food insecurity crisis. It is also essential to support local farmers and strengthen regional food systems to ensure access to safe and affordable food for the poorest and most marginalized.
The UN warns that a failure to act now would have long-lasting consequences. The pandemic could set back years of progress towards ending poverty and increasing food security, undoing decades of work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
To conclude, the pandemic has caused unprecedented harm to the most vulnerable and marginalized. The report’s findings are a grim reminder of the vital need for international cooperation to address the immediate and long-term impacts of COVID-19 on developing nations. Immediate action must be taken to prevent widespread starvation and to safeguard the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people. The world cannot afford to ignore this crisis any longer.
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