Without a substantial and immediate humanitarian response, populations in these five critical flashpoints face severe hunger, a heightened risk of famine, and potential fatalities in the coming months. This grave assessment comes from a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, stated, “This report serves as a red alert. We are fully aware of where hunger is intensifying and who is most vulnerable.”

These devastating humanitarian crises are further compounded by increasing restrictions on aid access and severe funding shortfalls.

Gaza and Sudan: critical food insecurity hotspots

In Sudan, famine has been a grim reality since 2024. The UN anticipates this dire situation will persist, primarily due to ongoing conflict and widespread population displacement, particularly in the Greater Kordofan and Greater Darfur regions. An estimated 24.6 million individuals are projected to face crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, with 637,000 enduring catastrophic conditions by May 2025.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the likelihood of famine intensifies as large-scale military operations severely impede the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, encompassing both food and non-food items. The entire population of the Palestinian enclave, totaling 2.1 million people, is expected to experience crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, with 470,000 individuals facing catastrophic circumstances by September 2025.

Catastrophic conditions in Haiti and South Sudan

South Sudan faces a confirmed famine risk in two of its regions, painting a bleak outlook for this East African nation. Approximately 7.7 million people—57% of the population—are expected to encounter high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2025, with 63,000 people projected to endure catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity.

In Haiti, unprecedented levels of gang violence and pervasive insecurity are forcibly displacing communities and paralyzing access to vital assistance. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons are already grappling with catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity within the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, a situation expected to continue until June 2025.

Mounting concerns in Mali

Concurrently, in Mali, soaring cereal prices and persistent conflict are eroding the resilience of the most vulnerable households, particularly in conflict-affected zones. Around 2,600 people are at risk of catastrophic food insecurity between June and August 2025 if timely aid interventions are not implemented.

Beyond these most critical areas, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are also identified as highly concerning hotspots, demanding urgent attention to safeguard lives and livelihoods. Other regions facing significant challenges include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.

FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “This report unequivocally demonstrates that hunger today is not a distant threat—it is a daily emergency for millions of people.”

He added, “We must act decisively now, and in unison, to preserve lives and protect livelihoods.”

Progress amid budget constraints

On a more positive note, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the list of hunger hotspots. This improvement in East and Southern Africa, as well as Niger, is attributed to more favorable climatic conditions for harvests and a reduction in extreme weather events. Lebanon’s removal follows a decrease in the intensity of military operations.

However, this global escalation in food insecurity occurs against a backdrop of severe funding deficits, which necessitate reductions in food rations and consequently limit the reach of critical nutrition and agricultural interventions.

Ms. McCain stressed, “We possess the tools and the expertise to respond effectively, but without adequate funding and unimpeded access, we are unable to save lives. Urgent and sustained investment in food assistance and recovery support is paramount, as the window to avert another devastating famine is rapidly closing.”