hunger

A new Oxfam report today says that as many as 11 people are likely dying of hunger and malnutrition each minute. This is more than the current global death rate of COVID-19, which is around seven people per minute. The report, ‘says that conflict remains the primary cause of hunger since the pandemic, pushing over half a million people into famine-like conditions ―a six-fold increase since 2020.

In advance of the UNSC Briefing on the crisis in Tigray, Oxfam in Ethiopia’s Country Director Gezahegn Kebede Gebrehana, said: “Days after the unilateral ceasefire was announced and as communities and global leaders grapple with the new context, millions of people across Tigray and surrounding areas remain in crisis. Even with the ceasefire, many vulnerable people are left without protection and resources, and need is only expected to grow."

In reaction to Ethiopia’s latest food insecurity figures released today, Oxfam’s global Emergency Food Security Advisor, Emily Farr, said: “The new figures released today from the IPC showing new and dangerous levels of hunger in Ethiopia are extremely worrying. According to the latest IPC findings, there are right now over 350,000 people in a hunger catastrophe - the largest number of people to reach that classification since Somalia in 2011. This number is expected to climb to 401,000 in July."

Six months after the conflict erupted in Tigray, thousands of farmers have nothing to plant ahead of the rainy season as the crisis compounded by climate-fueled locust devastated their tools and livestock and pushed over 5 million people to extreme levels of hunger, warned Oxfam today.

Oxfam India has deployed teams to five of the worst-hit states in India where a second wave of coronavirus is sweeping the country. The international organisation is urgently appealing for $2 million to fund its emergency response to the crisis.

A year on since the UN warned of “famines of biblical proportions”, rich donors have funded just 5 percent of the UN’s $7.8bn food security appeal for 2021. More than 200 NGOs published an open letter today calling upon all governments to urgently increase aid to stop over 34 million people, from being pushed to the brink of starvation this year.

In reaction to the UNFCCC NDC Synthesis report launched today, Oxfam's Global Climate Policy Lead, Nafkote Dabi, said: “Today’s report findings are appalling. The combined climate plans submitted account to a dismal 1% emissions reduction, far below the 45% reduction needed to limit global warming below 1.5 degrees, and avoid disastrous impacts on vulnerable communities."
 

In reaction to the outcomes of the Committee on World Food Security meeting which ended yesterday, Thierry Kesteloot, Oxfam’s food policy advisor said: "Oxfam is outraged that the world’s foremost platform on global food security and nutrition has failed to agree on any action close to sufficient in tackling to the world’s COVID-fuelled food crisis.

The conflict in Tigray compounded by climate-fueled locust infestations and coronavirus has left millions of people in desperate need of humanitarian aid yet access to those affected continues to be restricted, warned Oxfam today. 

In response to the UN recently launched Global Humanitarian Overview, estimating some 235 million people across the globe will be in need of life-saving support in 2021, Oxfam and 6 aid agencies said it is vital that they have unhindered access to those most in need and humanitarian appeals are fully funded.