good. oh sure that's so much more than just background music. video games are on g.w. . this is g.w. news live from berlin and i dire warning from the un's world food program as a corona virus spreads to millions of civilians living in conflict scarred nations including many women children face and push the break the story bracing for the specter of friends. very real and dangerous possibility. so what

in family things can be done. also coming up the global race for a vaccine a german company yes one approval to start the country's 1st to clinical tests on an experimental vaccine. plus being female in afghanistan can be difficult now they fear they may even lose a few rights they want if the taliban to get their way in any new peace deal with the girl. i'm sumi so much gonda it's good to have you with us the u.n. world food program is sounding the alarm over food shortages cost by coal that $19.00 the head of the world food program david beasley says more than 800000000 people already do not have enough to eat but that the number is likely to soar by 135000000 by the end of the year because of the pandemic. sure he says

a crisis could take on biblical proportions if the world fails to act. on those in south sudan trying to ward off that latest invasion no chris saw threatening to destroy what crops they have left in a country where hunger response of davie life after years of civil war the majority of south sudanese are already in a state of food crisis now things look set to get even worse last year we had to feed 5000000 people due to fighting and flooding already in 2020 we've had locust invasions and now there is the covert 19 plan damage which we predict could almost double the people in the queue hunger by the end of 2020 across the world. and those numbers are shocking we're also told the rate oh hunger endemic in addition rule of 130000000 people. could be pushed to the breaking story braced by

the end of 2020 that's a total of $265000000.00 people. government lockdowns are taking their toll in brazil it's estimated that up to 40000000 informal one peers have been dragged into extreme poverty handouts here in rio de janeiro are keeping people fed . others are doing whatever they can to survive. that much to do peaceably honestly it's very difficult we're selling food in order to survive but my daughter annoying me we're out of work and we're doing this selling food and then i can see. organizations like the un's world food program are pleading for more funds but with so many countries now battling for economic survival plus a lack of global leadership the fear is that

a humanitarian catastrophe could be closer than ever if. we can speak now to bettina alicia she is the world food program's chief spokesperson here in germany tina thank you for joining us the numbers are staggering we're seeing the number of people in acute hunger could double by the end of the year something you're going to zation is calling a perfect storm why is this. it's because so many things are coming together i mean the world food program and this year will feed 100000000 people in over 80 countries but that was because of war of conflict of climate change now on top of that we have another crisis the covert crisis the corona crisis and what we're seeing is that people out of work in many places their governments are scrambling how to take care of their people their economies are collapsing so we are extremely concerned that our usual work of feeding those 100000000 people will

not be happening because we will not get the money that's our big concern we have people tell the world let's avoid this crisis give us the money so we can take care of these people and their cover crisis is really making everything much much more extreme we see it around the globe what is happening but our big concern of course does super hungry people people who are very close to starvation who are now much more impacted then ever before your report also talks about displaced people in countries like afghanistan iraq and bangladesh especially at risk which communities in these countries are you most worried about. most worried about refugee camps for example where people die in very very close contact that's a lot in african countries but it's also in a place like bangladesh where they're working and have fled to we're worried about

how we can practice social distancing how should that work and why don't we have taking measures we're making sure that there's bigger distance between the various people when they pick up our food but the important thing is this we need to act now with the world food program is doing now is we're pre-positioning food for the next 3 months in the hardest hit countries so we can feed those people and then of course we will also help the whole you and your response to the coronavirus disease you said you worry that you might not get the money you need and as we know economies around the world are struggling so what is your message to governments about why it's important to help here. you have to do this now. now this week the next week the week after that we need to help us so we can help the whole humanitarian community we need $350000000.00 to keep on sending planes to keep on sending nurses to keep on sending doctors to building field hospitals for

aid workers to keep foden and other aid supplies going we helping we're shipping millions of masks and protective gear to some. 70 countries we're going to help 120 countries help with this disease and how to cope with it but the government leaders have to act now. the world food program's chief spokesperson here in germany thank you so much for joining us. thank you. now the search for a vaccine is gaining momentum here in germany the 1st clinical trial has just been given the green light the vaccine is being developed by a company called beyond tech base in the city of mines in the 1st part of the trial 200 healthy people between the ages of 18 and 55 will receive several variants of the vaccine. germany's health minister against john welcome the news but he also

said people would need to be patient because it will be a long time before any vaccine is ready to use so it's. a good sign that here in germany we've reached a point in terms of vaccine development that we can actually start with the 1st tests but at the same time it's important to note that it will still take months for a vaccine to pass all the necessary tests so it can be made available on a big scale so if a student come. following the story for us hi nina how significant is this approval of a 1st clinical test well it is significant in that it is only the 4th and take over it 19 vaccine trial that is registered with the world health organization and the president of the body for vaccines here in germany hasten to say it's not significant for people in germany it is significant on an international scale because of course the race is on to find

a vaccine that can help countries ease some of the restrictions so what's going to happen in germany is probably there's going to be for such clinical trial here but like we've just heard we will probably not see a vaccine widely available this year. it will still take time as we heard the health minister say it comes as germany is indeed loosening restrictions on society on the economy how worried are officials in the meantime that germany will see a spike in infections. it is a very difficult balance to strike for politicians of course everybody is aware that the current restrictions are in place because we simply do not have a vaccine so the risk of the virus spreading is still very much that at the same time germany has begun easing its restrictions it has begun to reopen some of the businesses some children can go back to school and of course the message the post

titian's sending out is let's not let down our guard let still know that we are highly surrounded by a highly risky situation and that the virus has not been stopped machall repeated this these words of caution on monday when she said it would be terrible if we went into a relapse now and of course that would be extremely difficult to communicate to people that if we let down our guards now we would have to reintroduce some of the restrictions that we're only just beginning to ease now. reporting for us thank you very much. let's have a look now at other coronavirus news the number of coronavirus deaths in europe has now surpassed 110000 the worst hit continent currently has more than 1200000 confirmed cases spain which has europe's 2nd highest death toll after italy has word it reported and uptick in fatalities for a 2nd day the u.s.

state of missouri has filed a lawsuit against china saying beijing tried to cover up the danger posed by the virus and south africa plans to deploy more than $70000.00 additional troops to enforce its strict lockdown that's in place until at least the end of the month. european leaders are preparing for a video conference on thursday to discuss the block's response to the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus the e.u. is split on how to finance the recovery northern members like germany and the netherlands have rejected calls by southern members led by italy to sell what are known as corona bonds to kickstart growth as we report the divide is testing european solidarity hospitals in italy have faced a massive challenge to treat all their patients critically ill will cope with 19 disease spain's prime minister has called the pandemic europe's biggest crisis since the 2nd world war. but help has come for some in the form of the german air

force specially equipped planes have flown patients from italy and france to hospitals in germany you know more than 200 sick people have been transferred from european countries even in the time of corona germany sees itself as a good european. and he will show solidarity we've proved that in the past but this is a crisis that affects us all in terms of health and economically and financially that's why we must take care in these times that the e.u. stays together. but when it comes to financial help germany is less ready to offer everything that is asked for the e.u. has agreed big support packages worth more than 3 trillion euros to counter the economic effects of the crisis such as the huge hit to european tourism but italy

france and spain would like brussels to go further and issue corona bombs a new form of shared debt many german politicians worry that would put new burdens on the german taxpayer. if the keys are your kind crises is no reason to bring in through the back door financial instruments that involve public debt which were wrong in the past and will be wrong in the future corona bones would lead to more days and also mean that all of europe ultimately lose its. failure but others say if european unity means anything it should be about flexing germany's economic muscles during this crisis your. temporary call up once we need temporary corona bonds to help the worst affected countries we need them for selfish reasons to the german car industry is reliant on production

that happening in northern italy so it's not just about solidarity it's in our own interest to do the smart thing. when the doc who coined. the pandemic has brought neighbors together but it's also put strains on relationships where individuals and nations for now while europe works out how to organize a for the long term direct help for the sick will continue. now politicians and activists here in berlin have held a demonstration of solidarity with italy one of the country's worst affected by the coronavirus crisis with the slogan we are in this together around 20 people gathered outside the italian embassy they were welcomed by the ambassador among the demonstrators was former european parliament president martin said he wanted europeans to feel emotionally connected during the pandemic. and for more on this we can speak to francisco now she's

a member of the bundestag for germany's green party ms fattah thank you for joining us now you're accusing the german government of damaging the european union so what exactly are you criticizing here. i'm criticizing to the german government has been taken taking very decisive and important actions on a national level but has a lack of same ambition on that you're in level we have not yet come up with a financial plan that allows 1st of all ization of our health systems off the economy and not even talking about the top 3 and we have not yet managed as you're being too poor to pay the production of medical equipment well enough who all have better prospects of getting out of the stock down and germany has been the blocking position saying no not making all proposals it's been quite disappointing i want to ask you about the economic aspect because you're part of the green party says the e.u. needs temporary carona bonds now this is the mutualization of european debt the german

government objects to that strongly of the polls that i've seen show that more than half of germans also don't agree to corona about bond so what would you say to german taxpayers why should they shoulder some of the liability for italy's debts. it is not about os shouldering italian debt i know that the government and conservative forces have tried to frame it as the same debate as in 2008 but it's a lack of honesty not to. discuss the issues really at stake we are in a different situation therefore and instrument is on the table and that's what we're talking about it's about taking to get her alone as the european union spending it together to fight this and damn it and then in get back together there's nothing i would germany taking on italian debt or whatever everybody keeps

on say it's all well and sing correctly in the situation where the entire street is in flames and where we're not going to tell everybody please go and distinguish to fire yourselves if we don't do it to get a rule have to have entire street in flames for long to go and that's not in our interest we as germans have in strong interest in acting now together all right francisco but now a member of the bundestag for germany's green party thank you very much for joining us here on t w. thank you let's take a look at some other stories making headlines around the world international oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels since 1999 deepening fears of a global economic downturn brant crude a drop 12 percent to below $17.00 a barrel the slump follows 2 of the wildest days in oil trading history as supply continues to outpace demand. the suburbs of paris have seen a 4th night of clashes between residents and police amid france

a strict coronavirus lockdown at one flashpoint riot police were sent in to us some residents said they were only trying to defend themselves against alleged police harassment. u.s. president donald trump says he will sign an executive order later on wednesday halting new immigration the ban will last for 60 days and will ban entry for those seeking green cards for permanent residence trump says the move will help protect u.s. workers from the economic fallout of the pandemic. now nearly 30 people were killed in attacks across afghanistan overnight the violence comes despite a deal between the u.s. and the taliban aimed at setting out a road map to peace prisoner exchanges have already begun as part of the agreement signed in february it is also hope that talks between the taliban and the government will be able to start soon but afghan women fear that their rights will not be respected in any future deal. going to the gym is

guys uars favorite way to release stress terror attacks a so common in our hometown of kabul there are just a part of normal life but there are other stresses too yari is a top official for afghanistan's administrative reform and civil service commission as a female manager in a male dominated society she says she experiences a lot of toxic masculinity she comes to the gym sweat out her frustrations. living in a safe zone in a country that is struggling so much in different there's i think if a strong woman woman who are leading i do not take care of themselves tell lies at the center of physical what is the thing there will not be capable of leading in managing their work. the commission is in charge of reforming the public sector yari heads up a team of men who department deals with complaints mostly about those in power and

ineffective bureaucracy. nepotism and corruption are rife in the afghan civil service the government has been valid to tackle this for years so far to no avail i think sometimes i'm jazzed because i know woman and i really thought about my statements in any possible way. to use advocacy work out what means in any meetings i think those. things in the commission are not received. by afghan standards yari leads an unusual life unmarried she lives with her nieces and nephews she almost married a man who joined the taliban but she escaped by fleeing to the u.s. many of her relatives have been killed her brother survived after studying in the u.s. she returned home yeah reese part of

a new generation of young educated afghan women who refused to give up their rights . she says she'd even stand up to the taliban should they come back to power. the family lead a relatively modern lifestyle which is not always possible here. yari says she hopes for freedom for. now for me i think freedom means. thinking freely making my choice really walking freely. giving my ideas my opinions freely with without any limitations. but those freedoms could be part of the prize for peace in afghanistan. that would be horrible i hope i hope the taliban will not take our freedom away i think we have fought very hard and the past 19 years i don't think afghan women are ready to lose this so.

i will fight not just for the women of today like her but also for future generations. for more perspective on the story we can speak now to see some are she's a human rights and women's rights advocate from afghanistan where she was the 1st women's affairs minister in the post taliban interim government see my thank you for joining us on the you we heard the young woman in our report just say i hope the taliban will not take away my freedom will this peace agreement a road that freedom that she's talking about. think you very much i think we're all afraid that. the right to some of our freedom back and i think it's it's no guarantee because you know they. really don't have

a very good experience from that even today even in the areas where they control or in the 1st. sima give us an idea of how much things really change for women what they've been allowed to do that is now at risk well i think and everybody knows that women practically was in and a house that is doing taliban they were not allowed to rule out and even by a piece of bread they were not allowed to travel they were not allowed to get education they will know how to get health care these are the very basic things but since the fall of the taliban we have a lot of the game of the freedom that we are allowed to have to get education we are allowed to work we have are allowed to choose our profession we are allowed to speak out here and now to travel alone without male member of the family. we would lose all of these things including that it was just really essential if you know

with expression. you've been very critical of the peace process why haven't women had more of a voice in negotiation. well i think as you see that is very nearly the scenario is a very bad show actually i have to say. when we had this agreement between the taleban and americas you don't find in 4 pages of the written argument between the you don't find the word woman in it you don't find the word human rights in it so we have to be afraid of the situation how can they deny half of the population and it's also if the government of pakistan is not mentioned in the paper they just say that the site who is that inside at the site is the government really i am not saying that the afghan government dysfunctional the pretty well functioning everything is fine it has a lot of them but even bisque evident with

a lot of sector plays that we gain we do not want to lose it. we do not want to lose the kind of situation that we have it's not an idea that all. people are separating from poverty that people are suffering from in this people are suffering from inequality there's a lot of discrimination because if anything the groups that so i'm in between men and women clearly but even we are happy with this one and we have to bend of this otherwise we will not have peace how can we have a peace or in woman doesn't have that freedom and equality of that in the society that may not be peace that will be under that regime but that cut the ship we've heard young women say that they are not willing to give up those freedoms that you've been discussing and that they would stand up to the taliban is that really possible really i think it is possible i personally fire for it for 42 years for this current city that we have

a new we continued to do that if it was possible doing that very difficult time with the mujahideen are there with a correction government that i'm sure he gave in that the government in iraq real and still continued fighting with the current government for equality so we continue to do that we have we don't have any other choice and i hope that they be the woman that around the world will say this time it has because it it is not only the freedom of movement in the father son but it is freedom of humanity. an important message there from sea must some are human rights and women's rights advocate from afghanistan thank you so much for joining us on day w. . but during coronavirus lockdowns we've seen some people taking to their balconies at the street to play music together so we leave you now with music from the streets of berlin thank you for watching.

africa. instead of fireworks. in madagascar our students are learning how to make pallets and recants out of the plant remains. in the gold. less deep forest station

and more nutrients for the island nation. for go. on g.w. . or. in the art of climate change. the earth is a massive. one deals today half of their future. deal on the dot com africa america's cities for the melting. could help after. they were abducted by the nazis and taken to germany to be raised as citizens of

the earth. during world war 2 thousands of polish children suffer. even today many of them don't know who their real parents were. and they've lived with this trauma for decades. in children and kidnapping campaign of nazi germany starts april 28th. hello and welcome to equal africa where we highlight green topics and ideas from africa and europe. where i'm in lagos nigeria and with me is my co-host in

uganda hello there sandra hi there i'm sandra to nobody here in kampala uganda and in these week's show we go to germany to meet among who's hoping to tie.