FAO warns food security emergencies likely to increase

Global food supply conditions are robust but access to food has been dramatically reduced in areas suffering civil conflicts and drought, UN food agency FAO warned Thursday in a report.

"This is an unprecedented situation. Never before have we been faced with four threats of famine in multiple countries simultaneously," said FAO Assistant Director-General Kostas Stamoulis.

According to the new edition of FAO's Crop Prospects and Food Situation report, some 37 countries require external assistance for food, 28 of which in Africa as a result of lingering effects of last year's El Nino-triggered droughts.

Protracted fighting and unrest is increasing the ranks of the displaced and hungry in other parts of the world, it said.

Agricultural production is expected to rebound in southern Africa. At the same time, famine has been formally declared in South Sudan and the food security situation is of grave concern in northern Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen.

Conflicts and civil unrest in Afghanistan, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Myanmar and Syria are also exacerbating food insecurity conditions for millions of people as well affecting nearby countries hosting refugees.

The drought in East Africa in late 2016 has heightened food insecurity in several countries in the sub-region, the report added.

"It demands swift action which should consist of immediate food assistance but also livelihood support to ensure that such situations are not repeated," Stamoulis added. Endit