Worsening hunger could push millions closer to famine in 13 global hotspots
Worsening Hunger Could Push Millions Closer to Famine in 13 Global Hotspots
Worsening hunger could push millions closer - Escalating food shortages are anticipated in multiple regions of the globe, intensifying existing challenges for populations already struggling with instability. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) have issued a report highlighting 13 nations where hunger is expected to worsen between June and November 2026.
Key Regions Highlighted
Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine continue to face the most severe conditions, while Nigeria and Somalia have been upgraded to the top-risk category due to rising famine threats. Conflict remains a dominant factor in the crisis, impacting 12 of the 13 regions listed.
"Conflict, shocks, and disasters are forcing families to make impossible decisions about who gets to eat and who goes to bed hungry," said WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau.
The report underscores that dwindling humanitarian funding has compounded the situation. Support for food aid, emergency farming initiatives, and nutrition programs has decreased by approximately 59% since 2022, marking the lowest level in nearly a decade.
Global Impact and Urgent Needs
Over 266 million individuals across these areas are now grappling with extreme food insecurity. FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol emphasized the importance of timely and scaled responses to prevent further deterioration.
"The challenge is whether we act early enough and at the necessary scale," said FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol.
FAO highlighted that immediate agricultural support is vital for sustaining food production and reducing dependence on external aid. In Sudan, famine risks persist in Darfur and South Kordofan, with over 20 million people already experiencing crisis-level hunger or worse earlier this year.
Yemen maintains one of the world’s worst hunger situations, with projections indicating more than 18 million people could face extreme food shortages. In Palestine, conditions in Gaza remain precarious despite some post-ceasefire improvements, leaving over 1.6 million people reliant on urgent food assistance.
Nigeria has entered the highest-risk bracket after forecasts revealed potential for catastrophic food shortages in Borno State. Somalia’s situation has also intensified due to drought, conflict, and poor harvests, with famine risks emerging in the Burhakaba District.
Emerging Threats and Climate Risks
The report warns that new crises could worsen conditions, citing economic shocks and climate variability as key contributors. Jean-Martin Bauer, director of the WFP’s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service, noted that these factors are deepening food insecurity.
"Economic shocks are compounding food insecurity, and climate change and climate variability are also further intensifying the situation," said Jean-Martin Bauer, Director of the World Food Programme's (WFP) Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service.
Additional risks include conflict in the Middle East and the latest Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, which may disrupt food systems and humanitarian access. A possible El Niño event is forecast to bring drought and flooding to areas already under stress.
FAO and WFP urged immediate action, stressing that early intervention preserves both lives and resources. Rein Paulsen, FAO Director, noted that only a third of the critical food security funding requirements have been fulfilled as of June 2026, forcing tough choices in aid distribution.
"As of June 2026, only about a third of the hyper prioritized requirements for food security funding and activities globally has been met, forcing extremely difficult choices," said FAO Director, Rein Paulsen, briefing reporters at UN Headquarters.