UN Lists Nigeria and Mali Among 16 Worst Hunger Risk Areas

UN Lists Nigeria and Mali Among 16 Worst Hunger Risk Areas

Two United Nations groups have pointed out 16 places around the world where people face a real danger of going hungry, including Nigeria and Mali. The warning comes from a joint update by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Food Programme, which says millions could starve without more cash help.

Fights and attacks drive most of these food shortages, the report notes. It flags Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen as spots on the edge of total famine. Other high-risk areas are Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria. Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh also make the list.

The agencies released the findings on Wednesday, stressing that leaders can stop this disaster. But aid money falls way short—just 10.5 billion dollars raised out of the 29 billion dollars needed. Because of this, the food programme has cut back on help for those forced from home and stopped school meals in some spots.

One top official said the world stands at the edge of a hunger mess that no one needs to happen, one that could spark more unrest, people fleeing, and clashes. The farming group added that without funds for seeds and animal care before planting time, farms will suffer and hunger will return year after year.

The report calls for quick cash boosts to save lives, steady food growing, and ease troubles from fights.