29 June 2022 — Harlem Désir, Senior Vice President of the ̽ѡ, responds to G7 leaders’ plans to scale up funding to prevent and protect people from hunger and malnutrition:
"The announcement that G7 leaders will commit US$4.5 billion to protect the most vulnerable from hunger and malnutrition is a positive step, on top of the EU’s proposal to mobilise €600 million. These funds will be critical to tackling soaring levels of humanitarian need.
"Yet, while the G7 pledges are welcome, they fall far short of the amount needed to address the drastic underfunding of humanitarian response plans in countries where needs are highest. For instance, the Horn of Africa is experiencing the driest conditions for 40 years, with 13 million people at risk of acute food shortages. While the UN flash appeal for Ukraine is nearly 79% funded, humanitarian response plans for protracted crises across Africa, Central America, and beyond are funded at less than 19% on average.
"The hunger crisis in these regions is driven by a deadly combination of conflict, climate change and the ongoing economic impact of COVID-19. This is being exacerbated by the ‘ from the war in Ukraine which is set to leave an additional 47 million more people suffering from acute hunger by the end of 2022.
"The concern expressed by G7 Leaders for humanitarian challenges - including those in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel and Afghanistan - is a step in the right direction. Now they must put these words into action.
"Lives can be saved if the funding announced this week is rapidly released to frontline humanitarian responders who are able to deliver services to those most in need. It must support immediate emergency response via humanitarian cash and malnutrition treatment, as well as longer-term food security needs – particularly for women and girls who are disproportionately impacted.
"The global food security crisis was predictable, and the worst impacts are still preventable with urgent and coordinated global action led by the G7.”