The UN (United Nations) observers have warned that the world is at risk of widespread famines of “biblical proportions” which is caused by the coronavirus pandemic,.

David Bearsley, head of the World Food Programme (WFP), said that urgent action was needed in order to avoid a catastrophe.

A report estimates that the number of people who are suffering from starvation could easily rise from the figure of 135 million, with a steep increase to 250 million worldwide.

It is said, by WFP, that more the 30 countries in the developing world could experience widespread famine, before adding that most people at risk are more particularly situated in 10 countries that are affected by conflict, economic crisis and climate change.

Addressing the UN Security Council during a video conference, Bearsley also said: “We could face multiple famines of biblical proportions within a short few months.

“The simple truth is that we have very little time on our side.

In a call to action, he added: “I do believe that with our collective expertise and our partnerships, we can bring together the teams and the programmes to make certain that the coronavirus pandemic does not become a human and food crisis catastrophe”.