Famines feared in 2021

The head of the World Food Program has issued the warning that there may be “famines of biblical proportions in 2021”. In April this year, David Beasley cautioned the U.N. Security Council that not only is the world battling the coronavirus pandemic, but also “on the brink of a hunger pandemic”; but because the world leaders responded with money and stimulus packages, the famines were averted. He said that the money available in 2020 needs not to be accessible in 2021, which will exacerbate the situation that will have a lasting impact for the next 12 to 18 months. In addition to raising funds from governments, Beasley hopes that the billionaires will step-up and put their money to good use. It is estimated that 135 million people faced hunger or worse so far in 2020. With the prolonged pandemic, an additional 130 million people will be pushed to the brink of starvation by early 2021. Acute food insecurity is being faced in Yemen, South Sudan, northeastern Nigeria, parts of Afghanistan, and many other countries in the African continent.