Millions of people around the world risk dying of hunger if "immediate action" is not taken, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told the Security Council on Thursday.

The warning comes as the world continues to grapple with the COVID19 pandemic that has infected more than 118 million people, killed over 2.6 million people, caused massive job losses and crippled basic sectors. Parts of the world are also crippled by insecurity and wars.

Guterres' warning was amplified by David Beasley, the Executive Director of the UN's World Food Programme (WFP).

"We need you to give us the funds to stop millions of people from dying from starvation. We were able to avert famine in 2020, we can do it again," said Beasley.

"Don't ask us to choose which starving child lives, and which one dies. Let's feed them all."