International

The United Nations agricultureagency has launched a $1.06 billion appeal to save lives and livelihoods, and tackle acute hunger in 26 countries resulting from the ongoing conflicts and climate-related shocks that have left millions of people on the brink of starvation.

"The reality is that while the lives of millions of people were saved thanks to rapid humanitarian response in 2017, millions more remain on the very edge of starvation," Dominique Burgeon, Director of the Food and Agriculture Organization's (FAO) Emergency and Rehabilitation Division said Thursday.

"Maintaining food production and rebuilding agriculture are fundamental to preventing loss of life from severe hunger and to providing a pathway towards resilience in the midst of humanitarian crises," he added.

With donor support, FAO said it hopes to employ a range of interventions to rapidly restore local food production and enhance nutrition for over 30 million agriculture-reliant people, to include by providing seeds, tools and other materials for crop farming.