FAO needs billions to address hunger globally
ADDIS ABABA – THE Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has launched an unpresented Global Emergency and Resilience Appeal, seeking US$2,5 billion to support 100 million people in 54 countries globally.
The appeal places emergency agricultural assistance at the center of efforts to protect food production and strengthen resilience in crisis contexts.
For East Africa, FAO requires $471,6 million to assist 18,4 million people in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda
It needs $593,4 million for West and Central Africa to aid 17,7 million people in Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
In Southern Africa, $17,.6 million is required for Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe
“Acute food insecurity has tripled since 2016, even with high levels of humanitarian funding,” said FAO Director-General, Qu Dongyu.
The envoy said the current model does not keep pace with today’s realities.
“Supporting farmers to maintain production is critical to ensure food availability. When farmers can keep producing, communities stabilize and the path to resilience becomes real.”
The appeal has been launched on the sidelines of the 179th FAO Council in Rome, Italy.
“This global appeal reflects the new, faster, leaner and more effective FAO,” Dongyu stated.
– CAJ News
