BEVERLY HILLS, March 9, (THEWILL) – World Bank Group President, Jim Yong-Kim, on Thursday said the bank was working toward raising 1.6 billion dollars to build social protection systems to end food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by Olufunke Olufon, Head of Communications, World Bank Nigeria, Yong-Kim said about 20 million people in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen were on the ‘tipping point’ of famine.
“We at the World Bank Group stand in solidarity with the people now threatened by famine,” the statement read.
“We are mobilising an immediate response for Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. Our first priority is to work with partners to make sure that families have access to food and water.
“We are working toward a financial package of more than 1.6 billion dollars to build social protection systems, strengthen community resilience, and maintain service delivery to the most vulnerable.
“The World Bank Group will help respond to the immediate needs of the current famine, but we must recognise that famine will have lasting impacts on people’s health, ability to learn, and earn a living.
“So, we will also continue to work with communities to reclaim their livelihoods and build resilience to future shocks. We are coordinating closely with the UN and other partners in all areas of our response.
“We know that resolution to this acute crisis will not be possible without all humanitarian and development actors working together.
“We call on the international community to respond robustly and quickly to the UN global appeal for resources for the famine.”
