UN warns the world is at risk of widespread famines caused by the coronavirus pandemic

The United Nations has warned the world is at risk of widespread famines "of biblical proportions" caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

BBC News reports the Head of the World Food Programme David Beasley says urgent action was needed to avoid a catastrophe.

A report estimates that the number suffering from hunger could go from 135 million to more than 250 million.

Those most at risk are in 10 countries affected by conflict, economic crisis and climate change.

The fourth annual Global Report on Food Crises highlights Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria and Haiti.

The report says In South Sudan, 61% of the population was affected by the food crisis last year.

Even before the pandemic hit, parts of East Africa and South Asia were already facing severe food shortages caused by drought and the worst locust infestations for decades.

[Source:BBC]