UN releases $100 million to fight hunger in 5 African countries, including South Sudan

The United Nations this week distributed $100 million from its Central Emergency Response Fund to aid millions suffering starvation in South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Yemen.

Millions in these seven nations cannot feed themselves and their families due to armed war, drought, and economic uncertainty made worse by COVID-19.

According to the VOA, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also claimed the spillover consequences of the crisis in Ukraine threaten to pull millions of people even closer to hunger.

VOA reported OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke as stating that Yemen, South Sudan, and Somalia are already in what the United Nations considers a Phase 5 emergency – catastrophic starvation or famine.

The United Nations began pleas for each of the seven nations months ago for a worldwide total of $43 billion. Laerke stated just 6.5 percent of this sum has been financed. He said the U.N. recognizes the $100 million it has made available for immediate support would not address the difficulties confronting these nations.

Laerke noted that U.N. officials hoped donors would recognize the predicament confronting these nations and assist their humanitarian activities. If not, he continued, substantial sacrifices would have to be made in essential programs.