UN Gives Elon Musk 'Proof' Of How $6bn Would Be Spent

The UN has provided 'proof' of how Elon Musk's $6 billion would be spent in the fight against famine.

The tech boss had pledged to sell some of his Tesla shares if the organisation's leaders could explain to him exactly where the money would go.

He became involved in a back and forth on Twitter with the director of the UN's World Food Programme, David Beasley, who urged billionaires like him and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to do what they could to help stop world hunger.

At the time, Musk asked him to come back with a detailed plan, telling Beasley: "If WFP can describe on this Twitter thread exactly how $6B will solve world hunger, I will sell Tesla stock right now and do it.

"But it must be open source accounting, so the public sees precisely how the money is spent."

Writing on Twitter this week, Beasley said: "The world is on fire. I've been warning about the perfect storm brewing due to Covid, conflict, climate shocks and now, rising supply chain costs.

"IT IS HERE. 45M lives are at stake-and increasing daily. If you don't feed people, you feed conflict, destabilization and mass migration.

"This hunger crisis is urgent, unprecedented, AND avoidable. @elonmusk, you asked for a clear plan & open books. Here it is!

"We're ready to talk with you - and anyone else - who is serious about saving lives. The ask is $6.6B to avert famine in 2022."

Beasley also shared a link to the UN website, in which it outlines where the money will be directed:

• US$3.5 billion for food and its delivery, including the cost of shipping and transport to the country, plus warehousing and "last mile" delivery of food using air, land and river transport, contracted truck drivers and required security escorts in conflict-affected zones to distribute food to those who need it most.

• US$2 billion for cash and food vouchers (including transaction fees) in places where markets can function. This type of assistance enables those most in need to buy the food of their choice and supports local economies. 

• US$700 million for country-specific costs to design, scale up and manage the implementation of efficient and effective programmes for millions of tons more food and cash transfers and vouchers - adapted to the in-country conditions and operational risks in 43 countries. This includes  office and satellite-office facilities and their security, and the monitoring of distributions and results, ensuring the assistance reaches the most vulnerable.

• US$400 million for global and regional operations management, administration and accountability, including coordination of global supply lines and aviation routes; global logistics coordination such as freight contracting; global monitoring and analysis of hunger worldwide; and risk management and independent auditors dedicated to oversight.

But while Beasley admitted that the money above wouldn't solve world hunger, he explained that it could go some way to saving the lives of millions of people.

He said previously: "$6B will not solve world hunger, but it WILL prevent geopolitical instability, mass migration and save 42 million people on the brink of starvation.

"An unprecedented crisis and a perfect storm due to Covid/conflict/climate crises."

Musk has yet to respond to the UN chief's latest document.