Lodnon, Jumada II 7, 1438, Mar 6, 2017, SPA -- The International Development Secretary Priti Patel has set out a five point plan to deliver a more effective global response to the unprecedented number of crises the world currently faces. Before last month, there had been only one certified famine globally since 2000. Parts of South Sudan are now in famine and in 2017 there is a credible risk of another three famines in Yemen, North East Nigeria and Somalia. Drought and conflict in these countries are pushing families to the brink of starvation and there is also no end in sight to the six-year conflict which has ripped Syria apart. Ms Patel is leading the charge to improve the global aid system, challenging international organisations and donor countries to be more efficient and effective in how they respond to crises, both in terms of meeting immediate needs, but also preparing for the longer term. ‎Ms Patel has also issued a call to action to the international community to step up its support for the humanitarian crises in South Sudan, Somalia, Yemen and North East Nigeria before it is too late.‎ The UK recently announced new packages of lifesaving support. --SPA 08:40 LOCAL TIME 05:40 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w346599