Over 100M People In Africa Face Food Insecurity: Report
Faizan Hashmi Published April 16, 2021 | 01:40 PM
YAOUNDE, Cameroon, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Apr, 2021 ) :More than 100 million people in Africa are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity, according to a new Red Cross report.
Africa has long experienced food insecurity spurred by factors such as conflict, insecurity, locust infestation, rain shortfalls, climatic factors, market instability, and disasters contributing to low nutritious food production and accessibility, according to the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) report released late Thursday.
The aid group also said the COVID-19 pandemic has also been the predominant driver of high acute food insecurity in both rural and urban areas in most African countries.
In East Africa, it added, "worse outcomes are expected through at least May 2021 across much of the region (North East Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia � including the Tigray region) attributed to conflict and displacement, long-term macro-economic challenges, the economic impacts of COVID-19, multiple weather shocks and ongoing desert locust upsurge." The report said that in areas affected by conflict and civil insecurity, particularly in the Lake Chad, Liptako Gourma (the three border areas between Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali), NorthEast, North-Central and North-West Nigeria, access to land and other means of production is limited.
In West Africa and the Sahel region, "the food insecurity situation is unprecedented in terms of the scale of the increase it represents (currently and for the coming lean season), +159 per cent and +126 per cent respectively of people in acute food and nutrition insecurity compared to the five-year average (2015- 2020)." Over one year, there has been an increase of around 80% for the current period, and 18% for the lean season (June-August). This is despite a year considered as good in terms of rainfall conditions and agro-pastoral production, according to the report.
"There is no time to waste," said the group, urging immediate action in terms of both speed and scale. "We call for collective bold actions by sequencing and layering humanitarian response to longer-term strategy towards the zero-hunger goal."
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
Iranians appear unfazed by Isfahan blasts
UAF celebrates Int'l Chinese Language Day
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Transforming education sector: from job hunters to job creators
18 hours ago -
Amjad Bobby remembered on 19th death anniversary for timeless contributions to music
5 days ago -
Legendary actor Nadeem’s 26 films released on Eid-ul-Fitr days in 50 years
5 days ago -
Besant Hall Cultural Centre to celebrate evening with Sanam Marvi on 26 April
6 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur presents program “Eidi Shidi”
9 days ago -
Radio Bahawalpur to broadcast Eid programs
11 days ago
-
DC, DPO Haripur inspect bus terminals to review fares compliance
13 days ago -
Second phase of refugees’ repatriation to start after Eidul Fitr vacations
13 days ago -
Reaping bounties as Ramazan culminates
13 days ago -
Digital transformation – a boon or bane
13 days ago -
Plants’ business: Another casualty of climate change
15 days ago -
Eid shoppers prioritize children’s joy over personal comforts
15 days ago