WHO Chief Praises Biden For First White House Summit On Hunger Since 1969 Amid War In Ukraine And Conflict In Ethiopia, And Worst Drought In Horn Of Africa In 40 Years

The Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday praised U.S. President Joseph R. Biden Jr. for scheduling the first White House conference on hunger, nutrition and health since 1969 amid Russia's war on Ukraine, the conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region and the worst drought in the Horn of Africa in 40 years.

<img src="https://todaynewsafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/50911775498_a0733c550f_o-1024x682.jpg" alt="President Joe Biden, joined by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and their children Ashley Biden and Hunter Biden, takes the oath of office as President of the United States Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)" class="wp-image-119319"/> President Joe Biden, joined by First Lady Jill Biden and their children Ashley Biden and Hunter Biden, takes the oath of office as President of the United States Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

The WHO chief, who described <a href="https://todaynewsafrica.com/biden-announces-white-house-will-host-conference-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health-in-september-for-first-time-in-over-50-years-as-russias-war-in-ukraine-triggers-sharp-rise-in-commodity-prices/" target="_blank" data-type="URL" data-id="https://todaynewsafrica.com/biden-announces-white-house-will-host-conference-on-hunger-nutrition-and-health-in-september-for-first-time-in-over-50-years-as-russias-war-in-ukraine-triggers-sharp-rise-in-commodity-prices/" rel="noreferrer noopener">the upcoming summit as 'timely' considering that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 have fallen behind schedule, said about 15 million people are estimated to be severely food insecure in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia alone.

“In the Horn of Africa and the Sahel, the climate crisis, spiking food prices and food shortages are threatening to cause famine and further insecurity,” Dr. Ghebreyesus said during a press briefing in Geneva, Switzerland.

According to him, the Horn of Africa is experiencing its worst drought in 40 years. And the conflict in Ethiopia is making things worse with food not reaching those who need it most, despite the declaration of a humanitarian truce by the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali six weeks ago.

"Since the declaration of the humanitarian truce in Tigray six weeks ago, just 172 trucks of aid were able to reach the region, representing just 4% of the need," he said. "And in Burkina Faso, repeated attacks on scarce water resources are depriving people of access to the minimum amount of water they need just to survive."

Coronavirus Briefing, 4 February 2020 HO Emergencies coronavirus Press Conference in the WHO Strategic Health Operations Centre (SHOC) room. Geneva, Switzerland, 6 February 2020. The conference was held by WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Andhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Executive Director, Health Emergencies Programme (HEO), Dr Michael Ryan and WHO Technical Lead on the COVID-19 Dr Maria Van Kerkhove. Title of officials and WHO staff reflects their respective positions at the time the photo was taken. Press Conference transcription: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/transcripts/trancription-who-audio-coronavirus-press-conference-06feb2020-final.pdf?sfvrsn=a6433f0b_2

Dr. Michael Ryan , the executive director of the WHO health emergencies Program, also praised the White House for organizing a conference on hunger, describing it as "fantastic."

“It's fantastic to see global leaders really coming out now and addressing the issue of world hunger," he said, adding that multiple conflicts in the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa as well as climate change are driving hunger up.

The White House announced on Wednesday that the summit, to take place in September, is expected to "accelerate progress and drive significant change to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, reduce diet-related disease, and close the disparities around them.”

“Hunger, diet-related disease, and the disparities surrounding them impact millions of Americans, and the COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the urgency of addressing these issues,” said Ambassador Susan E. Rice , White House Domestic Policy Advisor. “No one should have to wonder where their next meal will come from. We must take bold steps now—with government, the private sector, non-profits, and communities working together—to build a healthier future for every American.”

P20210126CW-0339: White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki looks on as Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice delivers remarks during a briefing Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House. (Official White House Photo by Chandler West)

That conference may end up impacting the lives of many people around the world, including in Africa, where drought, climate change and conflicts are driving food insecurity,

Last Tuesday, U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths announced that nearly two million children are at risk of starving to death as the Horn of Africa battles one of its worst droughts in 40 years.

In the Tigray region of Ethiopia, the ongoing civil war that began in November 2020, is worsening the already dire need of food and supplies.

The U.N.’s emergency food agency has found the 15-month conflict between rebel and government forces has caused main routes to be blocked from delivering aid.

The WHO Director General said there have also been repeated attacks on scarce water sources and healthcare, making even the minimum requirements of survival limited. “[These attacks are] an assault on the very foundations of life…the only answer is peace,” he said.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali attends the EU-Africa summit in Brussels, Belgium, in February 2022.

COVID-19 and new variants:

The WHO chief also warned against complacency, saying that although new cases and deaths have been dropping globally, the pandemic is not over yet.

Omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 have been found in South Africa, Botswana and parts of the United Kingdom.

“In many countries, we’re essentially blind to how the virus is mutating. We don’t know what’s coming next,” he said.

ACT Accelerator partners are currently in price negotiations to lower prices and increase availability as lower-income countries struggle while manufacturers post record profits.

“But we cannot accept prices that make life-saving treatments available to the rich and out of reach for the poor. This is a moral failing,” he said.

Dr. Abdi Mahamud , incident manager of Covid-19 in WHO’s Health Emergencies Program recognized South Africa for their work on de-escalating the rising variants as they enter a surge in cases.

“The great work done by the South African scientists [provides] the reassurance that the vaccines still work and still saves life.” he said.

South Africa’s studies comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated people exposed to the sub-variants and showed those who were vaccinated better neutralized the virus.

About

News

Countries

TV

Politics

News

Health

Business

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Add New Playlist

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

WHO chief praises Biden for first White House summit on hunger since 1969 amid war in Ukraine and conflict in Ethiopia, and worst drought in Horn of Africa in 40 years

Subscribe

About

News

Countries

TV

Politics

News

Health

Business

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Add New Playlist

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?