(Ecofin Agency) - According to the United Nations (UN), close to $4 billion is needed to fight food shortage in countries which were affected by the El Nino weather phenomenon.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) added that out of the 60 million people in need of food support in the world, 40 million are in the Eastern and Southern parts of Africa. The organization further indicated that the $4bn mentioned by the UN should be rapidly mobilized, as the severe El Nino-induced droughts should be followed by strong rains and floods due to the upcoming La Nina phenomenon. This phenomenon should raise the number of people in need of food support to 100 million, if nothing is done.

The funding which will be used in part to supply agricultural input to farmers should be mobilized urgently. Indeed, FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have three months to carry out field operations in Southern Africa before sowing begins.

Aaron Akinocho