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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – The United Nations Humanitarian Office is releasing $ 100 million in emergency funding to seven famine-prone countries in Africa and the Middle East amidst conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, as the humanitarian chief claims to return to a world where famines are common would be “obscene”.
An overnight statement said $ 80 million of the money will go to Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen. Another $ 20 million has been earmarked for “preventive action to fight hunger in Ethiopia,” where deadly fighting broke out this month in its rebel region of northern Tigray.
“Without immediate action, famine could become a reality in the coming months in parts of Burkina Faso, northeastern Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen. This would be the first time a famine has been declared since 2017 in parts of South Sudan, “the statement said.
A return to a world where famines are the order of the day would be “obscene in a world where there is more than enough food for everyone,” said United Nations humanitarian chief Mark Lowcock.
The UN has said that the money will go to the most vulnerable, especially women, girls and people with disabilities.
The money breaks down as follows: $ 15 million in Afghanistan, Burkina Faso $ 6 million, Congo $ 7 million, Northeastern Nigeria $ 15 million, South Sudan $ 7 million and Yemen $ 30 million.
All have been destabilized by extremist conflicts or attacks.
Image: FILE – In this photo from April 5, 2017, Adel Bol, 20, cradles her 10-month-old daughter Akir Mayen at a food distribution site in Malualkuel, in the northern Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan. The United Nations Humanitarian Office said Wednesday, November 18, 2020 that it is releasing $ 100 million in emergency funding to seven famine-prone countries in Africa and the Middle East amidst conflict and the COVID-19 pandemic, while the chief humanitarian claims to return to a world where famines are common would be “obscene”. (Photo AP, file)
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