Ukraine war set to trigger worst global famine in history and claim millions of lives, UN warns

THE war in Ukraine is set to claim millions of lives by triggering the worst global famine in history, UN chiefs have warned. The country’s vital southern ports, where millions of tons of grain are stored for shipment, are blockaded by Russian forces. The war in Ukraine is set to claim millions of lives by triggering the worst global famine in history, UN chiefs have warned Head of the UN World Food Programme David Beasley issued the stark warning Food and fertiliser vital to production around the world is also being held up in Russia itself. The global number of people facing severe food insecurity has doubled to 276million in two years. And 500,000 are facing­ famine conditions, up 500 per cent since 2016. David Beasley, head of the UN World Food Programme, said: “Failure to open the ports will be a declaration of war on global food security. Read more on Ukraine SICK TYRANT Putin's health 'been failing for 5 years' as he's rumoured to have new surgery END OF DAYS Putin will be ‘ousted in 3 months' as tyrant has ‘already lost Ukraine war' “This is not just about Ukraine, this is about the poorest of the poor around the world on the brink of starvation.” He added: “I ask President Putin, if you have any heart at all, to please open these ports. “So that we can feed the poorest of the poor and avert famine, as we’ve done in the past, when nations in this room have stepped up together.” Most read in The Sun PACKING THEIR WAGS Under-fire Vardys to flee UK as Wayne Rooney brands Jamie a 'bottler' DOUBLE BILL The Bill set for huge return to ITV - with TWO reboots in the pipeline FLAMING 'ELLE Rochelle Humes wows in daring see-through dress at Cannes Top Gun screening LEW DAY Pregnant Leona Lewis shows off bump in a bikini - and fans 'can tell baby's gender' SHE'S AT IT AGAIN BGT's Amanda Holden looks incredible in striking blue outfit DIFF-ERENT CLASS Tottenham set to be beaten by Cardiff for non-league star Ollie Tanner, 20