Billions needed to avert unrest and starvation, U.N. food chief says
Share this @internewscast.com

Without billions of dollars more to feed millions of hungry people, the world will see mass migration, destabilized countries, and starving children and adults in the next 12 to 18 months, the head of the Nobel prize-winning U.N. World Food Program warned Friday.

David Beasley praised increased funding from the United States and Germany last year, and urged China, Gulf nations, billionaires and other countries “to step up big time.”

In an interview before he hands the reins of the world’s largest humanitarian organization to U.S. ambassador Cindy McCain next week, the former South Carolina governor said he’s “extremely worried” that WFP won’t raise about $23 billion it needs this year to help millions of needy people

“Right at this stage, I’ll be surprised if we get 40% of it, quite frankly,” he said.

Last year, Beasley raised $14.2 billion for WFP, more than double the $6 billion in 2017, the year he took over as executive director. That money helped over 128 million people in more than 120 countries and territories.

Beasley said he was able to convince the United States last year to increase its funding from about $3.5 billion to $7.4 billion and Germany to raise its contribution from $350 million a few years ago to $1.7 billion, but he doesn’t think they’ll do it again this year.

Other countries need to step up now, he said, starting with China, the world’s second-largest economy which gave WFP just $11 million last year.

Beasley applauded China for its success in substantially reducing hunger and poverty at home, but said it gave less than one cent per person last year compared to the United States, the world’s leading economy, which gave about $22 per person.

China needs “to engage in the multilateral world” and be willing to provide help that is critical, he said. “They have a moral obligation to do so.”

Beasley said they’ve done “an incredible job of feeding their people,” and “now we need their help in other parts of the world” on how they did it, particularly in poorer countries including in Africa.

With high oil prices Gulf countries can also do more, especially Muslim nations that have relations with countries in east Africa, the Sahara and elsewhere in the Middle East, he said, expressing hope they will increase contributions.

Beasley said the wealthiest billionaires made unprecedented profits during the Covid-19 pandemic, and “it’s not too much to ask some of the multibillionaires to step up and help us in the short-term crisis,” even though charity isn’t a long-term solution to the food crisis.

In the long-term, he said what he’d really like to see is billionaires using their experience and success to engage “in the world’s greatest need — and that is food on the planet to feed 8 billion people.”

“The world has to understand that the next 12 to 18 months is critical, and if we back off the funding, you will have mass migration, and you will have destabilization nations and that will all be on top of starvation among children and people around the world,” he warned.

Beasley said WFP was just forced to cut rations by 50% to 4 million people in Afghanistan, and “these are people who are knocking on famine’s door now.”

“We don’t have enough money just to reach the most vulnerable people now,” he said. “So we are in a crisis over the cliff stage right now, where we literally could have hell on earth if we’re not very careful.”

Beasley said he’s been telling leaders in the West and Europe that while they’re focusing everything on Ukraine and Russia, “you better well not forget about what’s south and southeast of you because I can assure you it is coming your way if you don’t pay attention and get on top of it.”

With $400 trillion worth of wealth on the planet, he said, there’s no reason for any child to die of starvation.

The WFP executive director said leaders have to prioritize the humanitarian needs that are going to have the greatest impact on stability in societies around the world.

As he returns to his family in South Carolina, Beasley said his dream remains to end world hunger.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Family of Taft High School graduate finally gets closure after killer found guilty

Taft High School graduate’s family finally achieves closure as killer is convicted

SAN ANTONIO – More than a year and a half after the…
Senate confirms new army chief as one senator's objection holds up other military nominations

Confirmation of New Army Chief Delayed by Senator’s Objection, Hindering Progress on Other Military Nominations

WASHINGTON – The Senate is confirming three of the Pentagon’s top leaders,…
Starbucks to face lawsuit alleging its Refresher fruit drinks are missing fruit

Starbucks to face lawsuit alleging its Refresher fruit drinks are missing fruit

Starbucks has been ordered by a federal judge to face a lawsuit…
Joe Manchin Starts a Rumble With Schumer, Fetterman as Dress Code Change Becomes Bipartisan Issue

Joe Manchin Starts a Rumble With Schumer, Fetterman as Dress Code Change Becomes Bipartisan Issue

Though there are obviously more pressing issues going on in Washington, D.C.…
Farmingdale High School marching band director Gina Pellettiere, 43, (left) has been named as one of the people killed in the New York bus crash on Thursday afternoon

PICTURED: High school band leader among two dead and six injured after charter bus carrying high school students careens 50ft down a ravine in upstate New York

Two people killed after a charter bus full of high school students…
Sophie Turner grabs dinner with Taylor Swift again in NYC after filing lawsuit against estranged husband Joe Jonas

Sophie Turner grabs dinner with Taylor Swift again in NYC after filing lawsuit against estranged husband Joe Jonas

The Queen of the North is turning heads with her second meetup with her…
The cops were surprised to see two children step out of the vehicle, as the 10-year-old exited with his hands over his head

Moment ‘missing’ 10-year-old boy is found safe after stealing his mother’s car and taking his 11-year-old sister for a 200 MILE joyride

Moment ‘missing’ 10-year-old boy is found safe after stealing his mother’s car…
Ramzi bin al-Shibh, 51, has been ruled unfit to stand trial in death-penalty case after Guantanamo Bay

9/11 detainee Ramzi bin al-Shibh, 51, is ruled unfit to stand trial in death-penalty case after lawyers argued ‘CIA torture made him delusional and psychotic’

A suspect believed to be one of the masterminds behind the 9/11…
Footage shared on social media appeared to show smoke rising from the desert

BREAKING NEWS: Smoke seen rising from Idaho National Lab which tests advanced nuclear energy

BREAKING NEWS: Smoke seen rising from Idaho National Lab which tests advanced…
Only 2 Spurs named to CBS Sports’ NBA Top 100 list; and one hasn’t even played a game yet

Just Two Spurs Make CBS Sports’ NBA Top 100 List, With One Yet to Make His Debut

SAN ANTONIO – CBS Sports recently released its Top 100 NBA player…
House Speaker McCarthy Denies Ukraine President Zelensky’s Request to Address Congress

House Speaker McCarthy Denies Ukraine President Zelensky’s Request to Address Congress

In what many Americans see as a good thing, House Speaker Kevin…
No Thanks: DeSantis Doesn't 'Have Any Plans' to Meet With Biden to Survey Hurricane Idalia Damage

New Hampshire Poll Shows Some Troubling News for DeSantis Campaign

A new CNN primary poll has revealed some interesting changes in the…