In its bid to build social protection systems to end food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa and Yemen, the World Bank would raise 1.6 billion dollars.
Group President Jim Yong-Kim on Thursday said about 20 million people in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen were on the “tipping point” of famine.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to journalists by the Head of Communications, World Bank Nigeria in Abuja, Mrs Olufunke Olufon.
“We at the World Bank Group stand in solidarity with the people now threatened by famine.
“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.’’
Yong-Kim said he was also working with the bank’s board of directors to secure the approval of new operations amounting to 770 million dollars, funded substantially through the International Development Association (IDA) Crisis Response Window.
“We call on the international community to respond robustly and quickly to the UN global appeal for resources for the famine.’’
The UN estimates that about 20 million people in Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen are affected.
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