UN chief warns deterioration of global food crisis

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Source: CCTV.com | 04-15-2008 09:05

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned that a rapidly escalating global food crisis has reached emergency proportions.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned that a rapidly escalating global food crisis has reached emergency proportions.(CCTV.com)

He says the emergency threatens to wipe out seven years of progress in the fight against poverty.

He is calling for urgent short-term measures in many regions to meet pressing food needs and avoid starvation.

He is also pushing for longer-term efforts to significantly increase the production of food grains.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, said, "The World Bank has estimated that the doubling of food prices over the last three years could push 100 million people in low income countries deeper into poverty. The international community will also need to take urgent and concerted action in order to avoid the larger political and security implications of this growing crisis. The UN needs to examine ways to lead a process for the immediate and longer-term responses to these global problems."

Editor:Zhang Pengfei