After decades of decline, driven by conflict and climate change, the number of hungry people in the world has been on the rise since 2016.

The World Food Program (WFP) pointed out that approximately 41 million people in 43 countries are at imminent risk of famine, and nearly 600,000 people in four countries have experienced famine-like conditions. caveat.

In a statement on Tuesday, the UN agency stated that wars, climate change and economic shocks have been driving the increase in the number of hungry people, while soaring prices of basic goods have exacerbated existing pressures on food security this year.

“I am heartbroken about the situation facing me in 2021,” said David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme. “We now have four countries with similar famine situations. At the same time, 41 million people are knocking on the door of famine.”

“I am heartbroken about the situation facing 2021″—— @WFPChief New data shows that 4??1?? millions of people knocked on the door of famine. ?

“This is so miserable-these are real people with real names.” Read the full version ?? https://t.co/cXY2S23bLV. #FightFamine pic.twitter.com/uBubc6uShw

— World Food Program United States (@WFPUSA) June 22, 2021

This year there was a famine-like situation Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Sudan with Yemen, And parts of Nigeria and Burkina Faso, 584,000 people were affected.

But Beasley warned against “disputing the death numbers”, as happened in Somalia in 2011. When the famine was declared, 130,000 people — half of the final hunger — had already died.

The World Food Program, funded entirely by voluntary contributions, said it needs to raise $6 billion immediately to help people at risk in 43 countries.

“We need funding, we need it now,” Beasley said.

Rising world food prices

After decades of decline, driven by conflict and climate change, the number of hungry people in the world has been on the rise since 2016.

According to the World Food Program, 27 million people were on the brink of famine in 2019, but since 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has joined in.

According to United Nations data, world food prices rose to their highest level in a decade in May. The prices of basic foods such as cereals, oilseeds, dairy products, meat and sugar increased by 40% compared to the same period last year.

According to the World Food Program, global corn prices have risen by nearly 90% year-on-year, while wheat prices have risen by nearly 30% over the same period.

The devaluation of currencies in countries such as Lebanon, Nigeria, Sudan, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe has exacerbated these pressures, pushed up prices, and exacerbated food insecurity.

The World Food Program, which won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, said that about 9% of the world’s population, equivalent to nearly 690 million people, go to bed hungry every night.