The United Nations recently issued a stark warning, designating Gaza, Haiti, Sudan, South Sudan, and Mali as regions facing the most critical levels of food insecurity. These areas are now under maximum alert, demanding immediate and urgent attention from the global community to avert widespread suffering.
A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) highlights that without a swift and substantial humanitarian response, inhabitants in these five critical zones are projected to endure severe hunger, famine, and mortality in the coming months.
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, « This report serves as a red alert. We have clear data on where hunger is escalating and who is most vulnerable. »
These devastating crises are further compounded by increasingly difficult access for aid organizations and significant shortfalls in funding.
Gaza and Sudan: critical hunger hotspots
In Sudan, a famine declared in 2024 is anticipated to persist, driven by ongoing conflict and extensive population displacement, particularly impacting the Greater Kordofan and Greater Darfur regions. Projections indicate that approximately 24.6 million individuals will face acute food insecurity at crisis levels or worse, with 637,000 experiencing catastrophic conditions by May 2025.
The Gaza Strip faces an escalating risk of famine, as extensive military operations severely impede the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, including both food and non-food items. The entire population of the Palestinian enclave, totaling 2.1 million people, is expected to grapple with acute food insecurity at crisis levels or worse, with 470,000 individuals projected to reach catastrophic levels by September 2025.
Catastrophic food insecurity in Haiti
South Sudan is confronting a grim outlook, with the threat of famine looming over two of its regions. Between April and July 2025, an estimated 7.7 million people, representing 57% of the nation’s populace, are anticipated to experience severe acute food insecurity, while 63,000 individuals are expected to face catastrophic levels.
Haiti is experiencing unprecedented levels of gang violence and instability, which are displacing communities and severely disrupting humanitarian aid access. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area are already facing catastrophic acute food insecurity, a situation expected to worsen by June 2025.
Concerns rise in Mali
Meanwhile, in Mali, persistent high cereal prices and ongoing conflict are diminishing the resilience of the most vulnerable households, particularly within conflict-affected zones. Roughly 2,600 individuals are at risk of catastrophic food insecurity between June and August 2025 if timely assistance is not provided.
Beyond these most critical areas, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are also identified as highly concerning hotspots, demanding urgent intervention to safeguard lives and livelihoods. Additional regions facing significant food insecurity include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.
Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO, underscored the immediate nature of the crisis: « This report unequivocally demonstrates that hunger is not a distant threat; it is a daily emergency for millions worldwide. »
He further urged, « We must act decisively now, and in unison, to save lives and protect essential livelihoods. »
Progress achieved amidst funding challenges
Conversely, some positive developments were noted, with Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe being removed from the list of hunger hotspots. This positive shift in East and Southern Africa, alongside Niger, is attributed to improved climatic conditions for agricultural yields and a reduction in extreme weather events, easing food security pressures. Lebanon’s removal from the list follows a decrease in the intensity of military operations.
The escalating food insecurity across numerous global regions coincides with severe funding shortfalls, which necessitate cuts in food rations and constrain the reach of crucial nutritional and agricultural interventions.
Ms. McCain underscored, « We possess the necessary tools and expertise to respond effectively, yet without adequate funding and access, our capacity to save lives is severely hampered. Urgent and sustained investment in food aid and recovery support is paramount, as the window to prevent another devastating famine is rapidly closing. »