The updated Global Report on Food Crises reveals that nearly two million people are now grappling with the most critical level of food insecurity, classified as Phase 5 on the global IPC scale, which tracks acute hunger.

This level represents an “extreme lack of food and exhaustion of coping capacities,” with a sharply increased risk of acute malnutrition and death.

“As well as causing widespread acute malnutrition and death in the short term, it has major human, social and economic impacts in the long term,” the report noted.

The report also found that acute malnutrition among children and women in crisis-affected countries remained “persistently high,” with many families unable to afford a healthy diet.

It also noted that improved harvests helped reduce hunger in several countries, including Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guatemala, Lebanon and Afghanistan.

The report was prepared by a consortium of UN agencies, including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM), together with humanitarian partners.

Complete collapse in Gaza  

Víctor Aguayo, UNICEF Director of Child Nutrition, described the situation for children affected by severe malnutrition.

Briefing journalists at the UN Headquarters in New York, he described the situation in Gaza as one of the most severe food and nutrition crises in history.

“The nutrition situation in Gaza is one of the most severe that we have ever seen…it is important to remember that the nearly half of Gaza’s population suffering from this devastation are children,” he said.

Having returned from the enclave last week, he said that the impact of the war and severe restrictions on humanitarian response have led to a “complete collapse” of food, health and protection systems, with catastrophic consequences.

‘No doubt’ that famine is ongoing

“The fact is that the diets of children in Gaza are extremely poor. It is estimated that over 90 per cent of children are eating at best two types of food per day for weeks or months, in the context of very severe…lack of access to safe water and sanitation,” he said.

Estimates suggest that more than 50,000 children need immediate treatment for acute malnutrition, requiring medical professionals and nutrition workers.

“I walked through markets and neighborhoods, or what is left of markets and neighborhoods…there is no doubt in my mind there is a famine and a large-scale nutrition crisis,” he emphasized, calling for an immediate ceasefire and sustained humanitarian access.

Rapid deterioration in Sudan

Máximo Torero, Chief Economist at FAO, highlighted the rapid deterioration of food security in Sudan.

The ongoing conflict between rival militaries and limited humanitarian access have led to famine in some internally displaced people (IDP) camps and risked further spread. The situation is not expected improve at least until October.

“The conflict continues to drive a rapid deterioration of food security, with about 26 per cent more people estimated to face high levels of acute food insecurity during the June to September lead period compared to June last year, reaching 25.6 million people classified in crisis or worse,” he stated.

This crisis also affects neighbouring countries, including Chad and South Sudan, which are hosting a large number of Sudanese refugees while dealing with their own conflict- and climate-induced crises, he added.

Access and funding

Arif Husain, WFP Chief Economist, underscored the growing global burden of food crises, rising from 90 million people in 2023 to an estimated 99 million this year.

He emphasized the need for both access and funding to address the crisis effectively.

“The first is access – physical access to people in need, safe and sustained access,” he said, adding “the second is funding to provide assistance in a sustained manner, until the time there is.”

“If you have one, it is not enough. If you have only access or if you have only money, that is not enough. You need both,” he stressed.

Address root causes

Mr. Husain also underscored the need to address the root causes that are driving hunger and malnutrition.

“Whether it is war or whether it is climate, unless we address the root causes, we must not expect the needs to come down,” he said.

In conclusion, he said that while experts and humanitarians know about the situations noted in the report, there are many other hotspots in similar circumstances, but where little information or data is available, such as in Zambia.

“But we cannot say that there is a famine there because we have no data. So access – to get the information – is also critical.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission), in collaboration with the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), convened a two-day, high-level, strategy meeting at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. The meeting which held from September 3 to 4, 2024, brought together media experts, civil society representatives, and policymakers from across the region to deliberate on the vital role of media in promoting peace, stability, and democratic governance in West Africa.

Organised by the Communication Directorate of the ECOWAS Commission, the meeting aimed to address critical issues such as misinformation, disinformation, media freedom, and the need for enhanced media capacity to positively promote democratic processes and governance in West Africa.

During the two-day strategic meeting, participants comprising the Commission’s represenatives, media and strategic communication experts and the civil society organisations made presentations and engaged in group discussions designed to develop actionable strategies to strengthen the media’s role in achieving the ECOWAS Vision 2050, which envisions a fully integrated and prosperous region characterized by peace, democracy, and respect for human rights.

In his keynote address, The Director of Cabinet, Office of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Abdou Kolley, underscored the importance of a free and responsible media in fostering democratic consolidation and ensuring peace and stability across the region.

“We must address the growing challenges of misinformation and disinformation, which threaten to undermine our collective progress. This meeting is a crucial step in strengthening the media’s ability to support democratic governance and regional stability.” Mr Kolley noted

The Acting Principal Programme Officer, Relations with Member States, at the Directorate of External Relations, Dr. Babatunde Idowu, provided a comprehensive overview of the ECOWAS structure and its role in promoting regional integration and development. He highlighted the importance of strategic planning in achieving the objectives outlined in the ECOWAS Vision 2050 and emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to enhancing the media’s contribution to these goals.

The Head of Communication and Information Division at ECOWAS, Mr. Joël AHOFODJI, welcomed participants and outlined the strategic importance of this meeting in enhancing the visibility of ECOWAS activities. He emphasized the vital role of effective communication in building a robust media environment that can promote ECOWAS’s goals and counteract disinformation.

“Our partnership with the Media Foundation for West Africa is essential in building a media landscape that not only informs but also empowers our citizens to engage constructively in democratic processes,” he noted.

The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa, Mr. Sulemana BRAIMAH, elaborated on the Memorandum of Understanding between ECOWAS and MFWA, underscoring the shared commitment to promoting democratic values and peace through media initiatives.

“This Memorandum of Understanding represents a strong commitment to reinforcing media freedom and democratic governance in our region, especially at a time when disinformation poses significant risks,” Mr. Braimah remarked.

The Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs at ECOWAS, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, discussed highlighted the Commission’s ongoing interventions and support to member states especially during and after periods of crisis. She stressed the critical role of media in raising awareness and understanding of these efforts. She also notes the importance of media in promoting the Commission’s sustainable development, humanitarian assistance and initiatives within the sub-region.

The strategy meeting, with simultaneous interpretation available in English and French, aims to provide a platform for collective brainstorming and action planning. At the end of the two-day interactive strategy meeting participants are expected to come up with innovative and actionable strategies on how to enhance the role of media in countering disinformation and fostering sustainable peace and development within the sub region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The officers from the 12th contingent of the Nigeria Formed Police Unit (NFPU-12), received African Union medals of honour at a ceremony presided over by ATMIS Police Commissioner, CP Hillary Sao Kanu, in Mogadishu on Thursday.

“Your performance during your one-year tour of duty is commendable,” said CP Kanu. “You exhibited high levels of commitment and professionalism under difficult circumstances. Your service has been marked by courage, resilience, and a steadfast dedication to protecting the Somali people and supporting their aspirations for a peaceful, safe and secure country.” 

ATMIS Police Training Coordinator, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Samuel Asiedu Okanta, acting ATMIS Police Operations and FPU Coordinator, ACP Richard Evans Onyait, and component commander of the Uganda Special Forces in Somalia, Lt. Col. Edward Mugisha, were among senior ATMIS Police and military officials present at the ceremony. 

ACP Onyait recognized the sacrifices of the Nigerian police officers in Somalia and urged them to maintain discipline and a positive attitude in their service to Nigeria. 

Nigerian Contingent Commander, Chief Superintendent Shehu Gani Ahmed, praised the officers for their outstanding performance and contribution to the overall ATMIS mandate. 

“As a contingent, we have contributed our own quota to the success story of ATMIS in the search for sustainable peace in Somalia. As we complete our tour of duty, it is our earnest prayer that Somalia will achieve the desired peace,” said CSP Ahmed. 

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Justus Asiimwe, commander of the Uganda Formed Police Unit, commended the Nigerian contingent and said his unit is driven by the same mission to support Somalia’s efforts toward peace and stability. 

ATMIS Formed Police Units (FPUs) provide operational support to the Somali Police Force (SPF) such as VIP escort and protection, security at high-level events, mentorship and training of the SPF officers, and securing key government installations, among other duties. 

Other countries that contribute to Formed Police Units to ATMIS include Ghana, Uganda and Sierra Leone. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to King Mswati III of Eswatini, on the occasion of his country’s National Day.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, also sent similar messages to King Mswati III and the country’s Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini on the occasion.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs&International Cooperation.