Food shortage is the next global health crisis

Peter Sands, Executive Director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, told Reuters in a June 7 interview that food prices and rising energy, due in part to the war in Ukraine, could lead to millions of deaths both directly and indirectly.

“Consequences of the situation lack of food It happens in two ways, one is that it causes people to starve to death. But the second is the fact that many people are often poorly nourished and that makes them more susceptible to diseases,” said Peter Sands.

According to Mr. Peter Sands, efforts to improve pandemic preparedness should not make the “classic” mistake of focusing on the crisis itself and not considering other related crises. perspective, similar to the most recent threat facing the world.

Although there are no specific symptoms like diseases, food shortages can be deadly. (Photo: AP)

“Food deprivation is not as well defined as some completely new pathogens that emerge with distinctive symptoms, but it can also be deadly,” said Peter Sands.

The World Health Organization estimates that 15 million people may have died from COVID-19.

Investments are needed to strengthen health systems to help prepare for the consequences of food shortages, Sands said, in part from a grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. .

The fund, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is aiming to raise $18 billion to boost the health system against AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, reversing the failures caused by the pandemic. . The above figure is just over a third of the target number for the period from 2024 to 2026.

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