The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning about the growing threat of hunger in 13 global hotspots, with five of them facing the immediate risk of famine and death in the coming months.
In a joint Hunger Hotspots report released on Monday, the WFP and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) called for “urgent humanitarian action” and stressed the need for a coordinated global response to de-escalate conflict, halt displacement, and scale up emergency aid.
Jean-Martin Bauer, WFP’s Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis, emphasised the central role of conflict in driving these crises. “We’ve identified five countries or territories of highest concern. This is Sudan, South Sudan, Palestine, Mali, and Haiti. And conflict is driving very high levels of acute food insecurity. That’s why we highlight these places,” he said.
Bauer added, “There’s an ongoing famine in Sudan, and also a risk of famine in the case of Gaza. And all of those are driven by conflict and lack of access for humanitarians.”
In Sudan, nearly 25 million people are grappling with acute food insecurity, as the civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continues to trigger mass displacements and block humanitarian access.
South Sudan is facing multiple compounding threats—including rising political tensions, the threat of flooding, and deepening economic instability. The report estimates that almost 60% of the population will face acute food insecurity between April and July 2025.
In Mali, the combination of surging grain prices and persistent conflict is overwhelming vulnerable households, particularly in violence-hit regions where food access is already limited.
The humanitarian situation in Palestine’s Gaza Strip is growing increasingly dire. Large-scale military operations are obstructing the delivery of food and critical aid. The risk of famine is escalating as humanitarian corridors remain blocked.
Meanwhile, in Haiti, escalating gang violence has forced mass displacements and severely restricted humanitarian operations. According to the report, “Over 8,400 internally displaced persons are already facing Catastrophe levels of acute food insecurity.”
Bauer warned that without immediate funding and improved access, the consequences could be disastrous: “That means smaller rations and reduced numbers of people receiving much-needed humanitarian assistance in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries.”
Beyond the five most critical hotspots, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are listed as countries of very high concern. Other countries facing serious risk include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.
On a more hopeful note, the report notes that Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the Hunger Hotspots list, signaling improved food security in those nations.
The report paints a sobering picture of a global hunger crisis spiralling out of control—one that demands urgent, coordinated, and compassionate action to save millions of lives.
