At a Security Council meeting almost one year ago, David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) warned of ¡°famine of biblical proportions¡± fueled by conflict, climate extremes, and the socio-economic impact of COVID-19.
Since then, we have seen with our own eyes the worst-case scenarios and predictions materialize.
Today, more than 34 million people are on the brink of starvation. They are facing emergency levels of acute food insecurity and will face famine if urgent action is not taken.
In April, inspired by the Call for Action to Avert Famine launched by FAO and WFP, the International Council of Voluntary Agencies issued an to call on States and their leaders to provide the needed funding and enhance their efforts to end conflict and violence.
Hundreds of civil society organizations across the world joined forces by signing on the letter.
On 5 May, findings of the showed that at least 155 million people across 55 countries experienced acute food insecurity in 2020. The grim outlook for 2021 means food-crisis situations will likely extend, necessitating continuing large-scale humanitarian assistance.
Famine is preventable and therefore a choice. WFP needs USD$ 5.5 billion to avert the threat of famine, but we also need your voice to call on leaders of the world to take action. ??
Take action to #FightFamine
You are invited to with WFP today. Join in supporting the call-to-action by sharing a solidarity pledge on or . Other ways you can help include:
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Share .?Executive Director David Beasley calls on everyone to speak out.
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Retweet the .?With your voice, this message can travel farther.
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Check out #FightFamine?for a range of assets highlighting the causes and effects of famine.
Every voice will be tracked, measured, and captured in a data visualization product that will be used to demonstrate that people around the world have spoken.
There is no place for famine in 2021! Because once famine is declared the damage has been done ¡ we have failed.
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