The United Nations Office at Geneva
Multimedia Newsroom
“34 million people on the edge of famine could be helped through ‘Famine Prevention Compact’ endorsed by G7 leaders”, says UN World Food Programme (WFP)
With the recognition of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and more than 34 million people already facing emergency levels of food insecurity, the world leaders urgently addressed the problem at the G7 summit last weekend and endorsed a Famine Prevention Compact.
“Leaders of the G7 acknowledged the unprecedented humanitarian crisis our world faces today as more than 34 million people right now teeter on the edge of famine and endorsed a Famine Prevention Compact to urgently address the problem. Now this is a welcome move”, told WFP’s spokesperson Tomson Phiri today at a news briefing at the United Nations in Geneva. He added that “the G7 leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to provide $7 billion in vital humanitarian assistance as well as to take diplomatic action to promote humanitarian access. Now these elements of the Compact are the minimum requirements that must be actioned immediately to save lives”.
WFP and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) called in March for $ 5.5 billion to scale-up operations and avert famine. However, as funding shortfalls continued, urgently needed food assistance in Yemen, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, and most recently, the Tigray region of Ethiopia could not be provided.
“For the next six months alone, the World Food Programme requires 4.5 billion dollars and the consequences of inaction and these funding shortfalls will be measured in lost lives, and setbacks in progress towards long-term development goals”, informed WFP’s Tomson Phiri.
In Burkina Faso funding gaps have forced WFP to reduce food assistance by up to 50 percent for 1,4 million people during the lean season. In Madagascar, only those facing catastrophic levels of hunger receive full rations.
“Due to funding issues, the World Food Programme has in many cases taking food from the hungry to give to the starving”, WFP’s spokesperson said. “We have done ration cuts in South Sudan and in Yemen, and these are two countries of concern”.
Insecurity is also hindering WFP operations. The Organisation struggles to reach people in countries such as the Central Sahel region, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan.
In Tigray where 350,000 people face catastrophic levels of hunger, humanitarian access is the main challenge to WFP as armed groups are blocking the humanitarian assistance.
- Exterior wide shot, Palais des Nations flag alley, nations’ flags flying, a sunny day.
- Wide shot, press briefing at the UN in Geneva
- SOUNDBITE (English) – Tomson Phiri, Spokesperson of the UN World Food Programme (WFP): “Leaders of the G7 acknowledged the unprecedented humanitarian crisis our world faces today as more than 34 million people right now teeter on the edge of famine and endorsed a Famine Prevention Compact to urgently address the problem. Now this is a welcome move”.
- Close up, microphones in press briefing room
- SOUNDBITE (English) - Tomson Phiri, Spokesperson of the UN World Food Programme (WFP): “The G7 leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to provide $7 billion in vital humanitarian assistance as well as to take diplomatic action to promote humanitarian access. Now these elements of the Compact are the minimum requirements that must be actioned immediately to save lives”.
- Medium shot, technical staff managing zoom briefing
- SOUNDBITE (English) - Tomson Phiri, Spokesperson of the UN World Food Programme (WFP): “For the next six months alone, the World Food Programme requires 4.5 billion dollars and the consequences of inaction and these funding shortfalls will be measured in lost lives, and setbacks in progress towards long-term development goals”.
- Medium shot, journalist listening
- SOUNDBITE (English) - Tomson Phiri, Spokesperson of the UN World Food Programme (WFP): “Due to funding issues, the World Food Programme has in many cases taking food from the hungry to give to the starving. We have done ration cuts in South Sudan and in Yemen, and these are two countries of concern”.
- Medium shot, podium with screen
- Medium shot, podium with journalist
- Medium shot, journalist filmed from behind listening
Similar Stories
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
At the bi-weekly press briefing in the Geneva on Friday the UN Human Rights Office raised grave concerns about the recent constitutional amendments adopted in Pakistan.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
At the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, UN Human Rights Spokesperson made the following comment on the most recent killings in the occupied West Bank yesterday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
At the bi-weekly press briefing in the Geneva on Friday the UN Human Rights Office raised concerns about the military-controlled election in Myanmar, which starts next month and will be conducted in an atmosphere rife with threats and violence putting the lives of civilians at risk.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | UNAIDS
World AIDS Day 2025: Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response
1
1
1
Edited News | UN WOMEN
Gaza women are ‘last line of protection’ for their families amid attacks, hunger and harsh winter – UN Women
Women in Gaza are ensuring their families’ survival “with nothing but courage and exhausted hands” while violence continues and essentials remain in short supply, the UN’s gender equality agency warned on Tuesday.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
Since the ceasefire began on 27 November 2024, Israeli military strikes in Lebanon have killed at least 127 civilians. Nearly a year later, these attacks continue to increase, causing civilian deaths and damage to civilian structures.
2
1
2
Press Conferences , Edited News | UNCTAD
A new report by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) finds that the prolonged military operation and long-standing restrictions have driven the economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territory into its most severe contraction on record, wiping out decades of development gains and deepening fiscal and social fragility.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , WHO , WFP
Ongoing attacks and airstrikes attributed to Israeli forces in Gaza continue to kill and maim people of all ages in the shattered enclave despite an agreed ceasefire, UN agencies said on Friday.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNICEF , OCHA
Gaza: After Security Council vote humanitarians urge aid scale-up as winter rains hit families hard
Following the UN Security Council’s Monday endorsement of a US peace plan for Gaza, UN humanitarians urged prioritizing aid access under the scheme as severe rains and flooding deepened Palestinian suffering.
1
1
1
Edited News | UNHCR , UNMAS , WHO
Just how many people are still trapped in the Sudanese city of El Fasher?
That’s the burning question for relatives of the many thousands of people believed to still be there, since paramilitary fighters overran the regional capital of North Darfur last month, after a 500-day siege.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
At the bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, UN Human Rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan made the following remarks on the ongoing violence in the occupied WestBank.
1
1
1
Edited News | OHCHR , UNOG
At a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva today, the UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk made the following remarks on the situation in El-Fasher, Sudan.