Around 50 million people are now on the brink of famine, while even greater numbers face other forms of food insecurity, according to UN food chief David Beasley, who sounded alarms about global “chaos” and unrest if nations fail to resolve major shortages in fuel, grain, fertilizer and other essential goods in food production.

interview on Thursday, Beasley urged donor countries and private philanthropists to take action to prevent a catastrophic hunger crisis amid ongoing shortages, stating there would be “chaos all over the world” otherwise.

“Fifty million people in 45 countries [are] knocking on famine’s door,” he told the outlet. “If we don’t reach these people, you will have famine, starvation, destabilization of nations unlike anything we saw in 2007-2008 and 2011, and you will have mass migration.”

If we don’t get on top of this quickly – and I don’t mean next year, I mean this year – you will have a food availability problem in 2023. And that’s going to be hell.

“a perfect storm on top of a perfect storm.” Among other factors, he cited lingering economic fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic and related shutdown measures, as well as significant supply chain issues caused by the war still raging in Ukraine and retaliatory sanctions imposed by the West.

exceptions to compensate for shortages. 

“havoc” around the globe, particularly in Asia, where said “rice production is at a critical state right now.”

“step up” contributions to the food program, noting that some countries have reaped major financial gains due to soaring oil prices. 

“We’re not talking about asking for a trillion dollars here. We’re just talking about asking for a few days’ worth of your profits to stabilize the world,” he said, adding “Even if you don’t give it to me, even if you don’t give it to the World Food Program, get in the game… People are suffering and dying around the world. When a child dies every five seconds from hunger – shame on us.”