Hunger must not be weapon of war-UN chief

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that hunger should never be used as a weapon of war, highlighting the devastating impact of conflict on food security. Speaking at the UN Food Systems Summit in Addis Ababa, Guterres noted that climate change is disrupting harvests, supply chains, and humanitarian aid, fueling instability and undermining peace ¹.

*Key Statistics:*

- *280 million Africans* face hunger and starvation
- 3.4 million are on the brink of famine
- *10 million* people have been displaced due to drought, floods, and cyclones
- $12.2 billion is required for food security sector funding, but only 9% has been received
- $2.6 billion is needed for nutrition sector funding, with only 4% received

*Affected Countries:*

- *Sudan*: 10% of global humanitarian needs, with famine conditions projected through May 2025
- *South Sudan*: Catastrophic levels of food insecurity expected to worsen
- *Somalia*: Ongoing conflict and drought pressuring fragile livelihoods
- *Democratic Republic of the Congo*: Renewed violence and displacement reversing earlier improvements
- *Gaza*: Population facing famine and malnutrition due to Israeli blockade

The African Union has urged donors to provide greater support to address poverty, unrest, and climate change on the continent. The UN chief's warning comes amid aid cuts from Western nations, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in developing countries