COVID19 may cause a 'hunger pandemic' - World Food Program.

The World Food Program says the COVID19 pandemic will cause a 'hunger pandemic' around the world where millions of people will die from starvation.

Testing for COVID19 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Source: AAP/ AP Photo/Themba Hadebe

Countries in the African continent that have gone through decades of extreme food shortages from drought will be severely impacted if the COVID19 pandemic is prolonged affecting the economies of aid donor countries around the world.

The executive director of World Food Program, David Beasley, says countries like South Sudan will suffer famines of 'Biblical proportions' unless the world puts in place measures to prevent millions more dying from starvation.

Mr Beasley estimates up to 265 million people around the globe will experience starvation in the months and years to come as a result of coronavirus.

Other countries likely to be impacted by a hunger pandemic are Afghanistan, Syria, Yemen and Venezuela.