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GENEVA: United Nations secretary-general Antonio Guterres has warned that the world stands on the edge of a food crisis worse than any seen for at least 50 years.
The UN has also urged the governments to act swiftly to avoid disaster, “Better social protection for poor people is urgently needed as the looming recession following the coronavirus pandemic may put basic nutrition beyond their reach, said Antonio Guterres.
“Unless immediate action is taken, it is increasingly clear that there is an impending global food emergency that could have long-term impacts on hundreds of millions of children and adults,” he maintained.
According to him, governments need to act now to avoid the worst impacts of our efforts to control the pandemic.”Even in countries with abundant food, we see risks of disruption in the food supply chain,” Guterres warned.
About 50 million people risk falling into extreme poverty this year owing to the pandemic, but the long-term effects will be even worse, as poor nutrition in childhood causes lifelong suffering.
Guterres placed a three-point plan to repair the world’s ailing food systems and prevent further harm which are:
1.) To focus aid on the worst-stricken regions to stave off immediate disaster, and for governments to prioritise food supply chains.
2.) To strengthen social protections so that young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and other at-risk groups including children who are not receiving school meals in lockdown, and receive adequate nutrition.
3.) To invest in the future, by building a global recovery from the pandemic that prioritises healthy and environmentally sustainable food systems.
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