20 million at high risk of famine

July 05, 2017

The head of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), José Graziano da Silva, said at a conference in Rome that 20 million people are “severely affected” by a high risk of famine in northeast Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen.

In addition, 19 nations are in a “protracted crisis situation,” typically because of war, droughts, and floods.

In a message of support to the conference, delivered by the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Pope Francis called for international recognition of a right to food.

 

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Further information:

• World hunger on the rise again, reversing years of progress (FAO)
• World leaders must recognize right to food, Pope tells FAO (CWN, 7/3)