“The number of people suffering from hunger is on the rise,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, noting that “food prices are at their highest level in a decade.”

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a press conference: “Significant increases in the price of food, fuel and other commodities are leaving millions of people without food and starving, with serious consequences for physical and mental health.”

He stated that “Some regions, such as the Horn of Africa, face severe food insecurity that can lead to hunger, while more than 80 million people, or one in four people, in the East African region suffer from food insecurity.” food security. .” “.

The UN spokesman pointed out that “lack of food and nutrition weakens the immune system and increases the risk of disease”, noting that “malnourished children most often die from pneumonia, diarrheal diseases and measles”, stressing that “The World Health Organization is working with partners in responding to the health and food crisis, especially by providing essential health services to those in need, treating sick children suffering from severe malnutrition and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.”