The UN’s constant famine crisis problem
David Beasely, head of the UN’s World Food Program, has said that 350 million people are at risk of hunger and 50 million are “knocking at famine’s door.” Cockburn sees this as a serious humanitarian issue, which is why he is also concerned about the UN’s growing messaging problem. For years, the UN has raised the alarm about impending famines, but in most cases — either because of its efforts or other factors — such catastrophes have not yet come to pass. This is excellent news, and speaks to the skill and dedication of aid workers both in the UN and beyond — but it also risks creating the false impression of crying wolf. Since the US withdrew in 2021, Afghanistan has been in a dire state.
