Libya’s UN Mission, 78 million people suffer from hunger in the Arab world

IPA2457106 - urban slum in Africa. Its some 1M residents live in extreme poverty, earning less than per day. There is little access to basic services such as running water and electricity - let alone health care. More than half the girls have traded sex for food by the time they reach 16 - some starting as early as six years old..Most shacks have mud or wooden walls, a mud floor and a tin roof and with no toilets or running water. The average size of shack is 12ft x 12ft often housing up to 8 or more. .Nairobi, Kenya - October 2014./GUALLARAMADOR_1850.10/Credit:GUALLAR AMADOR/SIPA/1410241216

ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Libya’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, on behalf of the Arab Group, has reiterated that eradicating poverty in all its forms remains an absolute priority for the region.

According to a statement by Ahmed Al-Dridi, First Secretary of the mission, the conflict in the Middle East risks pushing a further 4 million people into poverty, while approximately 78 million people are suffering from hunger and 198 million are experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity.

The Libyan representative called for the expansion of social protection, with particular attention to rural and marginalized communities, compliance with development aid commitments, debt relief and the removal of unilateral coercive measures.

He also condemned Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, the destruction of Gaza’s food system and the use of starvation as a method of warfare, calling for the siege to be lifted and for unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

The statement also called for support for Yemen, Sudan and Somalia, and urged that commitments be translated into funded programmes to advance the 2030 Agenda.

Photo: IPA Agency

(ITALPRESS)

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