Jennifer Rigby

LONDON, (Reuters) – Growing food insecurity may pose the same threat as the COVID-19 pandemic. This is according to a prominent global health expert.

In part due to the conflict in Ukraine, rising food and energy costs could cause the deaths of millions, Peter Sands, executive director at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, said to Reuters on Tuesday.

There are two possible ways food shortages could work. The first is the tragic reality of many people starving to death. He said that second, you also have to consider the fact that many more people suffer from malnutrition than others. This makes them more susceptible to certain diseases.”

He stressed that pandemic preparation efforts should not focus on crises similar to the current threat.

It’s unclear if it is as distinct as a new pathogen with unique symptoms. However, it may be equally deadly,” he stated.

According to the World Health Organization, 15 million people could have been killed by COVID-19.

Sands indicated that investments were needed to improve health systems in order to be prepared for food shortages.

A Geneva-based fund, based in Switzerland, is trying to raise $18 million to strengthen health systems and combat the three main diseases listed. The fund has already raised just more than a third its goal for 2024-2026.