New York: Thirteen global regions are facing escalating hunger emergencies, with five of them – Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali – on the brink of famine unless immediate humanitarian assistance is provided, according to a stark new report from two United Nations agencies.
The “Hunger Hotspots” report, jointly released by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), highlights a deadly combination of armed conflict, economic instability, and climate-related disasters as the main drivers of deepening food insecurity.
The assessment warns that the situation could deteriorate further in the next five months unless urgent measures are taken to scale up aid and overcome obstacles such as violence and funding shortfalls that are hindering humanitarian access.
“This is a red alert,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain. “We know exactly where hunger is increasing and who is at risk. But without the resources and safe access needed to deliver assistance, we cannot prevent a catastrophe.”
A famine classification requires dire conditions: at least 20% of the population suffering from extreme food shortages, 30% of children acutely malnourished, and a daily death toll of two out of every 10,000 people due to starvation, malnutrition, or disease.
In Sudan, where famine was officially recognized earlier in 2024, nearly 25 million people remain at risk due to ongoing conflict and mass displacement.
In South Sudan, worsening floods combined with political unrest could leave up to 7.7 million people in crisis, with an estimated 63,000 already enduring famine-like conditions.
Gaza remains in an especially dire state. Ongoing Israeli military operations and a strict blockade have pushed all 2.1 million residents into acute food insecurity, with close to 500,000 people projected to face famine by September if conditions persist.
In Haiti, spiraling gang violence has forced thousands from their homes, leaving at least 8,400 people in catastrophic hunger. Meanwhile, in Mali, conflict and soaring grain prices threaten the lives of at least 2,600 people by the end of August.
Other countries under serious threat include Yemen, Myanmar, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where various crises continue to disrupt food supplies and livelihoods.
“Safeguarding people’s ability to produce food — protecting their farms and livestock — is critical, even in the most difficult conditions,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. “This isn’t just urgent, it’s essential.”
The report also noted signs of progress in some regions. Ethiopia, Kenya, and Lebanon have shown improvements and were removed from the list of acute hunger hotspots.
Still, without swift global action, the agencies warn, millions could descend further into hunger, malnutrition, and famine in the coming months.
