The world is facing an “impending global food emergency” that could impact hundreds of millions of people as the coronavirus pandemic threatens already strained supply chains, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned.

“Our food systems are failing, and the Covid-19 pandemic is making things worse,” the UN chief said in a statement accompanying a report by the world body.

“More than 820 million people are hungry,” he said. “Some 144 million children under the age of five are stunted — more than one in five children worldwide.”

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