Pastor Moises Martins

What causes the "worst human crisis" registered by the UN in more than 80 years

For the UN, the hunger crisis is categorized by high rates of mortality, malnutrition and hunger.

The world is currently experiencing the greatest human crisis since 1945, according to the United Nations, which has called for aid to avoid a "catastrophe."

The organization's humanitarian chief, Stephen O'Brien, said this is because more than 20 million people are already facing or at risk of starving in Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Nigeria.

According to him, it would require an injection of US $ 4.4 billion by July to avoid a disaster.

"We are at a critical point in history. Early in the year we are facing the biggest human crisis since the creation of the United Nations, "he told the Security Council.

"Today, 20 million people in four countries are starving. Without a collective, global and coordinated effort, people will simply starve to death. Many will suffer and die from diseases linked to this situation. "

In the last 30 years, the institution has only identified the problem in about ten cases.

O'Brien's remarks follow the same line as an appeal by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month when he revealed that the United Nations had received only $ 90 million in 2017.

Like O'Brien, he also warned of the need for more financial support for the four countries.

BBC Brazil clarifies what is happening in Yemen, Somalia, Sudan and Nigeria and why these countries are in need of so much help and what prevents the arrival of aid.

Yemen

The photos were among the most shocking of last year: very thin children, clinging to life with the little strength left over. Four-year-olds no bigger than babies. And mothers unable to do anything to stop their children from dying.

Estimates suggest that a child dies every ten minutes in Yemen for a preventable illness, while about half a million children under five suffer from severe acute malnutrition.

The UN estimates that 19 million people - about two-thirds of the country's population - need some form of humanitarian aid after two years of war between insurgents Houthi and the government backed by a Saudi-led coalition.

The Zaidist rebels are known as Houthi and have been fighting the government since 2004. They accuse the Yemeni authorities of not recognizing their identity.

What makes it difficult to reach the country?

The continuous confrontations, absence of the rule of law, bad governance and underdevelopment.

A naval embargo imposed by the Saudi Arabian coalition, the government-controlled war in the port of Aden, and air strikes in rebel-controlled Hudaydah port have led to a significant reduction in imports since 2015.

Fuel shortages, coupled with insecurity and damage to roads and markets, also impede the country's distribution and circulation of goods.

Southern Sudan

UN agencies say 100,000 people are facing hunger in the country, while about one million are at risk of starvation. The situation is considered the most serious food crisis of today and the most proliferated nationally.

According to the UN, 4.9 million people - 40% of the population - are in dire need of food, agriculture and nutritional assistance.

What makes it difficult to get help?

The continuing clashes in the country that has been at war since 2013, the absence of the rule of law and underdevelopment.

UN officials have already suggested that the government of President Salva Kiir would be blocking the arrival of food aid in some areas. Authorities deny these allegations.

There are also reports of attacks and looting on humanitarian convoys and depots, both by the government and by rebel forces.

Nigeria

The UN describes the northeast disaster in Nigeria as "the continent's greatest crisis."

It is precisely in this region that the extremists of the radical Boko Haram group, which are fought by government forces and have been responsible for the deaths of more than 1,500 people, have been displaced and more than two million Nigerians have been displaced. Houses.

In December 2016, UN estimates indicated that about 75,000 children were at risk of starvation. Another 7 million people in Nigeria and neighboring Lake Chad face "severe food insecurity."

What makes it difficult to get help?

The Boko Haram attacks, the absence of the rule of law and underdevelopment.

The country still has areas completely controlled by the group, where humanitarian agencies can not reach.

There are still allegations of systematic theft of donations - denunciations being investigated by the Nigerian Senate.

Somalia

In the latest case of the food crisis in the country, just six years ago, about 260,000 people died.

Earlier in March, reports suggested that 110 people died within 48 hours in just one region of the country.

However, humanitarian groups worry that this is only the beginning: the lack of water - caused partly by the climate phenomenon El Nino - has killed livestock and plantations, leaving 6.2 million in need of urgent aid.

What makes it difficult to get help?

The continued attacks by the Islamic militant group al-Shabab, the absence of the rule of law and underdevelopment.

Piracy off the coast of Somalia also often prevented navigation, but attacks have declined significantly in recent years.

Source: BBC