Food

Following is the text of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ video message to the launch of the 2024 Global Report on Food Crises, in Rome today:

Reforming climate financial systems requires youth engagement, climate justice for vulnerable communities and recognition of Indigenous communities’ role in preserving biodiversity, young leaders told the Economic and Social Council’s annual Youth Forum today. They also urged for the inclusion of youth in building resilient agrifood systems and backing youth-led hunger solutions.

In Madagascar, the United Nations and its partners are supporting the Government’s response to Tropical Cyclone Gamane. According to the Government, the tropical cyclone — which hit the country on 3 April — killed 19 people, injured 3 others and left some 22,000 people displaced.

Conflict between warring parties in Sudan is driving a hunger crisis dangerously approaching famine for millions of people, senior United Nations officials warned the Security Council today, calling for an urgent cessation of hostilities before an entire generation is destroyed and the wider region is destabilized.

The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement, initiated in 2010 by the former Secretary-General, continues its drive to improve nutrition for all people, everywhere, with the stewardship of 22 appointed global leaders who are committed to fighting malnutrition in all its forms as members of the SUN Movement Lead Group.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations — as well as heavy fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups — continue to be reported across much of the Gaza Strip.

In Mozambique, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today warned that more than 110,000 people have been displaced since the end of 2023 by the resurgence of attacks by non-State armed groups in a distressing escalation of the situation in the Cabo Delgado Province.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) released a report today on how attacks on Red Sea shipping are reshaping global trade routes. Higher fuel consumption from rerouted trade could result in a 70 per cent rise in greenhouse-gas emissions for these trips, and shipping costs have skyrocketed.

The Security Council today concluded its open debate on climate change and food insecurity, with speakers calling for urgent action to address the profound impact of these escalating crises particularly on vulnerable and conflict-affected nations.

With the accelerating climate crisis and multiplying conflicts, over 330 million people were affected by acute food insecurity in 2023, the Secretary-General told the Security Council today, as speakers outlined strategies to break the deadly nexus of hunger, conflict and climate chaos.