UN: 45 million people in 43 countries at risk of famine

A total of 274 million people worldwide will need emergency aid and protection in 2022

There are also 45 million people living in 43 countries, at risk of famine, Martin Griffiths, UN Humanitarian Affairs chief said at the launch of the 2022 Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) in Geneva.

A total of 274 million people worldwide will need emergency aid and protection in 2022, a 17 per cent increase compared to last year, according to the overview.

It estimates that $41 billion is required to provide relief and protection to the 183 million people most in need. 

“The climate crisis is hitting the world’s most vulnerable people first and worst. Protracted conflicts grind on, and instability has worsened in several parts of the world, notably Ethiopia, Myanmar, and Afghanistan,” Mr. Griffiths said, “and of course the Covid pandemic, which we have recently been reminded, has not gone away” with poor countries deprived of vaccines.

According to the report, more than one per cent of the world’s population is displaced and extreme poverty is rising again.