A recent report by the Global Network Against Food Crises noted that nearly 20 million more people faced food crises in the year 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflict, and weather extremes. In an editorial last week, Gulf Today raised alarming concerns over the findings of the report.

According to the humanitarian agency established in 2016 by the United Nations and the European Union, "the outlook for this year is very grim."

The agency also warned about deteriorating acute food insecurity globally since 2017, the first year when it released its annual report on food crises across the world.

Acute food insecurity is defined as any lack of food that threatens lives, livelihood or both. At crisis levels or worse, acute food insecurity affected at least 155 million people last year, which is notably the highest in the five-year existence of the report.

Gulf Today stressed there are concerns the situation could worsen as the COVID-19 pandemic and extreme weather could exacerbate the already-fragile conditions associated with poverty and conflict in several countries worldwide.

In 2020, David Beasley, head of the UN World Food Programme (WFP), said that even before the COVID-19 outbreak hit the world, around 135 million people were moving towards the brink of starvation. He further warned that the number could double to approximately 270 million in the coming months.

The report underscored deep concerns for women, noting that a massive 47 percent of female workers were unable to find jobs or secure their employment even after the pandemic restrictions were eased in many countries.

Furthermore, the report defined people in poverty as "those living on less than 375 rupees ($5) per day".

"Though incomes fell across the board, the pandemic has taken a far heavier toll on poorer households," the report added.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all stakeholders to put all possible efforts to address the challenges posed by acute food insecurity.

"There is no place for famine and starvation in the 21st century,” he said.

In conclusion, the Sharjah-based daily called on the international community to step up efforts to ensure that developing nations do not suffer hard from acute food shortages.

"Apathy and neglect can be disastrous, leading to terrible consequences," Gulf Today noted.

WAM