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UN appeals for USD 5.6 bln for famine response

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in the press conference
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in the press conference
NEW YORK, Feb 22 (KUNA) -- UN appealed for USD 5.6 billion this year, of which USD 4.4 billion is required by this March to avert catastrophe in Northeast Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.
More than 20 million people in North-East Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen are facing famine or a credible risk of famine over the coming six-months.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres briefed the press here on Wednesday alongside the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O'Brien, the UN Development Program (UNDP) Administrator Helen Clark, and by video conference, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) Ertharin Cousin.
Guterres urged all members of the international community to step up and to do whatever is in their power, whether that is mobilizing support, exerting political pressure on parties to conflict, or funding humanitarian operations.
The top officials drew the world's attention to the fact that today, people are going hungry, and facing devastating levels of food insecurity.
"Famine is already a reality in parts of South Sudan," Guterres told the press.
The UN top official warned from the tragedy the world is facing, and called on the international community to avoid it becoming a catastrophe.
Amid the dire situation, he said that the situation is preventable if the international community takes decisive action.
As millions of people are barely surviving in the space between malnutrition and death, vulnerable to diseases and outbreaks, forced to kill their animals for food and eat the grain they saved for next year's seeds.
The UN Chief announced that the organization are also stepping up cooperation between humanitarian and development agencies, including the World Bank, strengthening collaboration, coordination and alignment and working towards common goals. "Saving lives is the first priority, but we are also looking to build longer-term resilience to shocks," he said.
He also asked Clark and O'Brien to take immediate action to ensure a coordinated long-term approach. They will set up a steering committee to link the United Nations Development Group and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee for humanitarian assistance.
According to the fact sheet given to the press, 5.1 million people urgently need food and livelihoods assistance in North-East Nigeria. In that area 450,000 children are suffering severe acute malnutrition.
In South Sudan, 100,000 people are facing famine, 1 million people on the brink of famine, and 5 million people urgently need food and livelihoods assistance.
In Somalia, the fact sheet confirmed that 2.9 million people urgently need food and livelihoods assistance, as 185,000 children suffering severe acute malnutrition.
In Yemen, 7.3 million people urgently need food assistance and 452,000 children suffering severe acute malnutrition. In Yemen only, USD 1.07 billion is required for food security for 8.2 million people. (end) mao.gb