Climate change, prolonged conflicts responsible for food insecurity in Africa —FAO

CONTINUED conflicts and climate-related shocks have been attributed to food insecurity rate, particularly in southern, Near East and East African countries.

In a report released recently, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations emphasised that extended conflicts, harsh weather events and displacement have continued to threaten food access for millions of people.

• $62m required to avoid further hunger in N-East —FAO

“Civil conflicts and population displacement remain the key drivers of food insecurity in East Africa and the Near East, whereas dry-weather conditions reduced cereal outputs in Southern Africa,” it says

Due to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, about 17.8 million people are food insecure and require urgent humanitarian assistance, a five per cent increase since 2017.