UN Secretary-General: People from Afghanistan to Yemen Suffer from Hunger and Discrimination

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated in a message marking Ramadan that from Afghanistan to Yemen, Gaza and Sudan, people are suffering from "fear of conflict, hunger, displacement, discrimination and war."

Guterres emphasized that while Ramadan represents a "noble vision of hope and peace," this vision remains out of reach for many members of the human family. He urged everyone during this "difficult and divisive time" to bridge gaps, deliver aid and hope to those in need, and safeguard the rights and dignity of every human being.

"May this blessed month inspire us to act as one body to build a more peaceful, generous and just world for all people," Guterres said.

In related developments, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network previously warned that Afghanistan faces hunger and emergency conditions over the next three months due to winter weather and reduced citizen incomes. The network stated that consequences of emergency acute hunger are expected to emerge from February, as families face severe difficulties accessing food.

It noted that poor families are likely to resort to negative livelihood strategies, including selling their last livestock, early marriage of daughters and begging to obtain food. Phase three crisis conditions, or "crisis under pressure," are projected to persist widely across other parts of the country until May.

The network identified prolonged drought, reduced remittances from abroad, limited job opportunities, the return of large numbers of migrants, economic recession and families' inability to meet food and non-food needs as the main factors driving the current and upcoming situation.