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UN warning about "largest humanitarian crisis" since its creation

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By Seamus Kearney
UN warning about "largest humanitarian crisis" since its creation

It is being described as the largest humanitarian crisis facing the world since the creation of the United Nations.

The warning comes from the UN humanitarian chief amid mounting concern about famine in Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen and Nigeria.

Stephen O’Brien, the UN’s Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said:

“We stand at a critical point in history. Already at the beginning of the year we are facing the largest humanitarian crisis since the creation of the United Nations.

“Now, more than 20 million people across four countries face starvation and famine,” O’Brien added.

“Without collective and coordinated global efforts, people will simply starve to death.”

O’Brien was briefing the UN Security Council after visits to the countries in question, where he said the common factor was conflict.

He says the UN and its partners are ready to boost their response efforts but they need much more help with access and funding.