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Fri, Mar

Africa News
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Following the growing spread of Coronavirus globally, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) has on Tuesday warned that Global food insecurity could nearly double this year to 265 million people.

The pandemic has led to a rapid decline in economic activities across countries with travel restrictions and low revenue generation, making the expected number of people affected by acute hunger to be about 130 million which will add to the already 135 million people.


Chief Economist and Director of Research, Assessment and Monitoring at WFP, Arif Husain said: "COVID-19 is potentially catastrophic for millions who are already hanging by a thread."


UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)alongside African Union (AU) and other international partners have asked African Leaders to ensure a constant supply of food to the continent's most vulnerable.


FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu in a virtual meeting with 55 AU members and 45 Agriculture Ministers said: "Border closures restrict trade and limit food availability in many countries, particularly those dependent on food imports."


Speaking, Angela Thoko Didiza, Minister for Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development of South Africa who also serves as Chairperson of the AU Specialised Technical Committee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Water and Environment warned against hindering inter-regional trade as it could worsen economic activities in the continent.


In their separate remarks, representatives of New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), World Bank, African Development Bank among others urged leaders to take necessary steps in mitigating food shortage in a bid to avoid acute hunger in Africa.

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