Abu Dhabi, 2 November 2021 (TDI): The Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme, David Beasley; gave an interview to CNN Connect the World. The interview was on 26 October.
COUNTRIES AT RISK
Beasley warned that 42 million people in dozens of countries are at risk of starvation. Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Madagascar, South Sudan, and Yemen, are some of the countries, whose citizens are at risk.
This is the reality for millions of people. I don’t think the world realizes the gravity of the crisis at our doorstep.
42 million people in dozens of countries are marching toward starvation TODAY. #Afghanistan, #Ethiopia, #Madagascar, #SouthSudan, #Yemen and many more. pic.twitter.com/oIoNNeIN0a
— David Beasley (@WFPChief) November 1, 2021
According to the note, the World Food Programme blames the hunger crisis on conflicts, climate change, disasters, structural poverty, and inequality. The programme stated that COVID-19 only worsened it.
STATISTICS
According to the Programme, 22.8 million people, which is at least half of the Afghan population faces acute hunger. The causes of this crisis are high unemployment, droughts, and financial crisis. The report also stated that 3.2 million kids are at risk.
WFP also mentioned that a population faces famine when at least 20% of the households face extreme food shortages. The population can also face famine when at least 30% of the kids are malnourished, also when the daily deaths from starvation rate are greater than 2 per 10,000 people.
The WFP estimated that in Ethiopia, 5.2 million people need humanitarian assistance. Assistance is needed in the region of Tigray due to the conflict. The region is suffering from a military conflict between the government, and the Tigray’s Popular Liberation Front.
The conflict already has thousands of victims, and 2 million people displaced. The WFP and other Humanitarian Organizations are fighting to assist in the region, but have several obstacles. The UN stated that Madagascar is on the brink of the world’s first climate-change-induced famine.
Haiti is another country of interest for the WFP. The organization stated that the country is suffering from social, political, and economic instability. Because of this, the WFP estimated that roughly 50% of the population faces food insecurity.
CALL FOR THE BILLIONAIRES
Beasley called the billionaires to help tackle the hunger in the world. He then added that just one donation of 6 billion would be enough. Beasley urged the billionaires to step up because the governments are tapped out.
A one-time donation from the top 400 billionaires in the U.S. could help save the lives of 42 million people this year.
Here’s why @WFPChief called on world billionaires to help WFP #FightFamine. 👇
— World Food Programme (@WFP) November 1, 2021
Beasley cited the two richest people in the world, Elon Musk, and Jeff Bezos. According to Beasley, both Musk and Bezos could help tackle this crisis with a small fraction of their fortunes.
From Bezos, Beasley is only asking for 10% of the total increase of Bezos fortune during the first year of COVID-19. Beasley then mentioned that if the 400 billionaires participated, to prevent famine, .36% of their net worth is necessary. Finally, Beasley stated that he is against people dying of hunger when there is 400 trillion wealth in the world today.
