A new joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warns that acute food insecurity is rapidly worsening in 16 global hunger hotspots, putting millions at risk of famine. The report highlights that time is running out to prevent widespread starvation as conflict, economic shocks, extreme weather, and funding shortages drive already dire conditions to catastrophic levels. Despite the growing urgency, humanitarian aid remains severely underfunded, threatening the lives of millions who depend on it.
Covering the period from November 2025 to May 2026, the Hunger Hotspots report identifies that in 14 out of 16 countries, conflict and violence are the main causes of hunger. The six areas of highest concern—Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen—face an imminent risk of famine (IPC/CH Phase 5). Another six countries—Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and the Syrian Arab Republic—are classified as being of very high concern, while Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, and the Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh also remain in crisis.
The report underscores that massive funding gaps are crippling humanitarian responses. By the end of October 2025, only US$10.5 billion of the US$29 billion needed to support the most vulnerable had been received. As a result, WFP has been forced to reduce rations, suspend vital nutrition and school feeding programmes, and narrow its assistance coverage, leaving millions—especially refugees and displaced people—at heightened risk of hunger. FAO also warns that insufficient funding is severely undermining agricultural support, preventing the delivery of seeds, livestock health services, and other inputs crucial for sustaining food production and resilience ahead of planting seasons.
Across all hunger hotspot regions, food production and household incomes remain far below basic survival needs. Both agencies stress that building resilience is now essential to protect livelihoods, reduce dependence on emergency aid, and prevent the recurrence of food crises. The report makes clear that famine is predictable and preventable if swift, coordinated, and adequately funded action is taken.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the importance of proactive measures, urging the global community to invest in livelihoods and social protection before hunger peaks, noting that famine prevention is both a moral obligation and a strategic investment in peace and stability. Similarly, WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain warned that the world is “on the brink of a completely preventable hunger catastrophe,” calling for immediate funding, political commitment, and humanitarian access to conflict-affected regions.
The FAO and WFP appeal to governments, donors, and humanitarian partners to act on early warning systems such as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) and Cadre Harmonisé (CH) before conditions deteriorate further. Anticipatory action—helping communities withstand shocks before crises escalate—is far more cost-effective than delayed emergency responses. Ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access remains critical for delivering life-saving food, nutrition, and agricultural aid.
The Hunger Hotspots report, published bi-annually with financial support from the European Union through the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), reinforces that while famine is preventable, achieving this requires immediate global solidarity, leadership, and funding. Millions of lives depend on decisive action now to avert further suffering and instability.
