United Nations: millions of people facing famine, lack of funds affecting aid efforts

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Food Programme jointly issued a report on the 12th warning that millions of people in at least 16 regions around the world may face famine, and the shortage of international aid funds is making the situation worse. The two UN agencies are calling on the international community to increase donations to prevent the humanitarian crisis from worsening. The report shows that in most countries and regions classified as high risk, conflict and violence are the main causes of food crises. Both UN agencies stated that the shortage of humanitarian funds is "seriously undermining emergency response capabilities", and refugee food aid is on the verge of collapse. As of the end of October, the two UN agencies had only raised $10.5 billion in aid, far from the $29 billion needed to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups. Cindy McCain, the executive director of the World Food Programme, warned that "we are on the brink of a hunger crisis that could have been completely avoided", and if no action is taken, it will only further exacerbate instability, leading to more waves of migration and conflict.