Pam: billions of dollars to avoid unrest and hunger

Without increased funds to feed millions, the world will see mass migration,Countries destabilized and children and adults starving in the next 12-18 months, says the head of the World Food Program (WFP), David Beasley.

In an interview before handing over the reins of the largest humanitarian organization in the world to US ambassador Cindy McCain, the former governor of South Carolina said he was "extremely worried" that WFP will not collect the 23 billion dollars needs this year to help millions of people in need.

With high oil prices also Persian Gulf countries can do more, especially Muslim nations that have relations with countries in East Africa, the Sahara and elsewhere in the Middle East, expressing hope that they will increase contributions. Beasley said billionaires have made unprecedented profits during the COVID-19 pandemic and "it's not too much to ask some of the multi-billionaires to step up and help us through the crisis."

Beasley said WFP was forced to cut rations by 50% for four million people in Afghanistan. The official told leaders in the West and Europe that while they are focusing everything on Ukraine and Russia, “they had better not forget what lies in the South and Southeast hemisphere.

WFP's executive director said leaders must prioritize the humanitarian needs that will have the greatest impact on stability in societies around the world. He identified several priority locations: the Sahel region of Africa and the east, including Somalia, northern Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia; Syria impacting Jordan and Lebanon; and Central and South America, where the number of people migrating to the United States is now five times higher than it was a year ago. With $400 trillion in wealth on the planet, there's no reason for a child to starve. But that's another story