World MPs demand urgent action against hunger

Apr 05, 2017

The Assembly was gravely concerned about the humanitarian situation in East Africa, the Horn of Africa, Nigeria and Yemen, where millions of people are facing the real threat of starvation due to famine and drought

 Members of Parliament world-wide have called for urgent international action to save millions of people from famine and drought in parts of East Africa, other parts of Africa, and Yemen.

The resolution was adopted at the 136th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Wednesday.

The Assembly was gravely concerned about the humanitarian situation in East Africa, the Horn of Africa, Nigeria and Yemen, where millions of people are facing the real threat of starvation due to famine and drought, and dire circumstances of food insecurity, the resolution stated.

"People are facing the third consecutive year of drought in many of the countries covered by the emergency item. The impact is devastating, causing thirst and hunger, decimating livestock, destroying livelihoods, spreading disease and triggering large-scale population movements, a press release said.

Ethiopia and Kenya, according to the release, are among the world's top 10 refugee host countries. "These refugees are especially vulnerable in the current crisis," it said. However, Uganda has also been named among the countries hosting most refugees and has been hit by food scarcity in many areas.

IPU Members called upon the international community to take immediate action to prevent this potentially unprecedented famine and looming humanitarian catastrophe. They urged relevant governments to end hostilities and take every step to ensure unhindered humanitarian access.

The resolution called on the United Nations and the international community to remain focused on those most vulnerable to the current drought and famine conditions, especially women, children and the elderly.

The IPU resolution declared that famine must never be used as a weapon of war and those who use it in this way should be brought to justice.

IPU Members also want to prevent this tragedy from ever happening again. They urged governments to assist the affected countries in developing drought resilience mechanisms, by eliminating the root causes of famine and drought. Parliamentarians also called for more investment in mitigation activities that support vulnerable countries in adapting to climate change.

They further urged the global community to step up climate change mitigation and adaptation interventions aimed at curbing global warming and invest in measures that support vulnerable countries in addressing climate change

The global organisation of parliaments, IPU works to establish democracy, peace and cooperation among peoples

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