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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Monday called for strengthened efforts to ensure food security for millions of refugees who are facing food insecurity and the risk of malnutrition.
Speaking at a high-level event here to improve food security for refugees, Ban said that stronger response is required to meet food and nutrition needs of refugees in the world.
"Food is a matter of life and death, especially for people on the run," Ban said at the event held on the sidelines of the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants. "We have a moral obligation to help."
The high-level event touched upon how to strengthen self-reliance in food security and nutrition to support greater dignity and protection of refugees.
Ban also hailed the efforts of host communities to meet the food and nutrition needs of refugees, saying this solidarity not only saves lives but also benefits refugees and host communities in the long term.
He stressed the importance of ensuring refugees' sustainable livelihood and their access to land and financial services as well as freedom of movement.
"These are basic to earning a living," he added.
