Chief of World Food Program presses billionaires to'step up'

According to the U.N.'s World Food Program, the head is telling billionaires that it's time to "step up" in the face of increasing food insecurity due Russia's war in Ukraine.

Chief of World Food Program presses billionaires to'step up'

According to the U.N.'s World Food Program, the head is telling billionaires that it's time to "step up" in the face of increasing food insecurity due Russia's war in Ukraine. He also said he has seen encouraging signs from some the richest people in the world, such as Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.

David Beasley, Agency Executive Director, reacted to a Twitter back-and forth he had with Musk last January when the Tesla CEO challenged policy makers to show how a U.N agency seeking $6 billion could end world hunger.

Musk has invested $6 billion in a foundation since then. Everyone thought it was for us, but it hasn't come to us yet. So I'm hopeful," Beasley said to The Associated Press during the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland), where billionaires and elites from around the world gathered.

Musk said that he didn't know how it would turn out. "We're trying all angles, you know: Elon. We need your help, brother."

Musk and Bezos did not immediately respond to email or other messages requesting comment.

Beasley's challenge was prompted by a new study that predicted nearly 1.9 billion people would be facing food insecurity by November. The report was presented by Eurasia Group, DevryBV Sustainable Strategies at the Global Citizen NOW Summit. It said that as many as 243million people could be insecure due to the "hurricane" of hunger that has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

Hugh Evans, Global Citizen CEO, stated that "the projections are bleak right currently." This doesn't have the to happen. Many institutions are failing people."

Evans stated that he hopes that the Global Citizen Impact Fund will encourage ultra-high net worth people to give more, as they will have proof of the impact of their gifts. However, Erna Solberg (ex-prime minister of Norway, and Global Citizen board member) stated at the summit that Agenda Item #1 is to get grain from Ukraine through its ports.

According to a regulatory filing, Musk, the world's wealthiest man, donated approximately 5 million shares Tesla stock, worth $5.7 billion, to a unidentified charity in November.

After Musk had tweeted late October that he would buy $6 billion of Tesla stock and donate the money to World Food Program, if the organization could explain how it would solve world hunger. Musk's donation was not named in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing.

On Monday, Beasley stated to AP that his message was not just for those two tech giants but also for other billionaires.

"The world is in serious trouble. This isn't rhetoric or B.S. He said, "Stand up now, the world needs your help."

Together, Russia and Ukraine exports a third of the world’s wheat and barley as well as half of its sunflower oils. Russia is also a major supplier of fertilizer which has seen prices rise. The Kremlin is accused of blocking Ukrainian ports. This disruption of food staples and political unrest in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East is threatening food insecurity and food insecurity.

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