Efforts to fight a global surge in acute food insecurity are being stymied in several countries by fighting and blockades that cut off life-saving aid to families on the brink of famine, warn the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) in a new report issued today.
Currently, 16.2 million Yemenis face crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and above) according to the latest Integrated Food Security Classification analysis. This includes approximately 47,000 people experiencing catastrophic (IPC Phase 5) levels of food insecurity -famine like conditions.
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, today told world leaders and other participants in the Pre-Summit to the UN Food Systems Summit that there was an acute need for renewed global efforts to end hunger and malnutrition by 2030, as envisaged under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As he urged increased funding, Qu also called for greater efficiency, as well as a sustained push for “scientific innovation and digital technologies”.
The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, today reiterated his call for more investment in rural areas and actions to end hunger and poverty at the Pre-Summit of the UN Food Systems Summit.
"Our agri-food systems are not delivering properly, and in many parts of the world these systems were not efficient, inclusive and sustainable," Qu said, noting that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the situation.
The visit followed the Director-General's participation in the G20 Environment Ministers' meeting in Naples on Thursday where he stressed how the need to meet a growing demand for food and other agricultural products, must be achieved whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving biodiversity, sustainably managing natural resources, and protecting and restoring ecosystems.
Reversing biodiversity loss and land degradation can reap $1.4 trillion per year
Ceremony marks strengthened partnership and reopening of the compound
The Arrangement focuses on food safety and standard setting, and contains a Contribution Arrangement which will help to simplify the implementation of individual projects.
"There is one concept that cannot be overlooked when it comes to the future state of food, agriculture and the path to achieve Zero Hunger for all: the future of food belongs to the young people of today!" stressed the Director-General. "It is therefore our responsibility to join forces and ensure that the youth inherit a world where affordable, nutritious food is available for everyone, everywhere."
