Without a swift and substantial humanitarian response, populations in these five critical hotspots face extreme hunger, famine, and potential fatalities in the coming months, according to a collaborative report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

“This report serves as a dire warning. We have clear insights into where hunger is escalating and which communities are at risk,” stated Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme.

Devastating crises are intensified by increasing obstacles to aid access and severe funding shortfalls.

Gaza and Sudan: escalating food crises

In Sudan, famine conditions have been confirmed since 2024. The UN anticipates this dire situation will persist due to ongoing conflict and widespread population displacement, particularly impacting the Grand Kordofan and Grand Darfur regions.

An estimated 24.6 million people are projected to face crisis levels or worse of acute food insecurity, with 637,000 individuals experiencing catastrophic conditions through May 2025.

For Gaza, the likelihood of famine intensifies as large-scale military operations severely impede the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, including food and non-food items.

The entire population of the Palestinian enclave, comprising 2.1 million people, is expected to encounter crisis levels or worse of acute food insecurity, with 470,000 people facing catastrophic circumstances through September 2025.

Haiti’s dire food insecurity levels

In South Sudan, the confirmed risk of famine across two regions paints a grim picture for this East African nation.

Approximately 7.7 million people, representing 57% of the population, are predicted to confront high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2025. Among these, 63,000 individuals are expected to face catastrophic acute food insecurity.

Haiti is grappling with unprecedented levels of gang violence and insecurity, which are displacing communities and severely hindering humanitarian access. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons are already experiencing catastrophic acute food insecurity in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area by June 2025.

Food security concerns in Mali

Meanwhile, in Mali, soaring cereal prices and persistent conflict are eroding the coping mechanisms of the most vulnerable households, especially in conflict-affected zones. Around 2,600 individuals are at risk of catastrophic food insecurity between June and August 2025 if timely aid is not provided.

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

“This report unequivocally demonstrates that hunger today is not a distant threat; it is a daily emergency for millions,” emphasized Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO.

“We must act now, collectively, to preserve lives and protect livelihoods.”

Progress despite funding challenges

Conversely, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the list of hunger hotspots.

In East and Southern Africa, as well as Niger, improved climatic conditions for harvests and a reduction in extreme weather events have alleviated food security pressures. Lebanon’s removal from the list follows a decrease in the intensity of military operations.

This global escalation in food insecurity occurs amidst severe funding deficits that necessitate cuts in food rations, thereby restricting the reach of vital nutritional and agricultural interventions.

“We possess the necessary tools and expertise to respond, but without adequate funding and access, we cannot save lives. Urgent and sustained investment in food aid and recovery support is paramount, as the window to avert further devastating famine is rapidly closing,” emphasized Ms. McCain.