COVID-19 pandemic could spark global food emergency, warns UN Chief

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday warned that the world was facing an “impending global food emergency” that could impact hundreds of millions of people as the coronavirus pandemic threatened already strained supply chains.

The UN chief said this in a statement accompanying a report issued by the world body.

He said world food systems were failing, and the COVID-19 pandemic was making things worse noting the over 820 million people were hungry and some 144 million children, one in five, under the age of five were stunted.

He warned that “this year, some 49 million extra people may fall into extreme poverty due to the COVID-19 crisis. 

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The UN secretary said unless immediate action is taken, it is increasingly clear that there is an impending global food emergency that could have long term impacts on hundreds of millions of children and adults.”

Europe calls for ceasefire in Libya

The EU’s diplomatic chief and the foreign ministers of France, Germany and Italy have urged all parties fighting in Libya to stop military operations immediately and respect a ceasefire.

In a statement the Foreign Ministers said International efforts must include the withdrawal of all foreign forces, mercenaries and military equipment supplied in violation of the UN arms embargo from all regions of Libya.