UN Report Identifies 16 Global Hunger Hotspots as Crisis Looms

On November 12, 2025, the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) released a joint report highlighting alarming trends in global food security. The agencies warn that urgent action is necessary to prevent millions from facing acute food insecurity. The report identifies sixteen regions worldwide where the risk of severe food crises is increasing, potentially leading to significant humanitarian emergencies.

Armed conflict remains the primary driver of food shortages in many of the regions outlined in the report. Prolonged violence, destruction of arable land, mass displacement, and blocked humanitarian corridors drastically hinder access to food. Notably, Sudan has emerged as a critical area. Following months of intense conflict, millions are trapped in regions where markets have collapsed, and aid distribution is nearly impossible. The FAO cautions that certain areas could soon reach technical thresholds for famine unless stability is restored.

Yemen faces a similar crisis, with over 40% of the population experiencing severe food insecurity. The destruction of essential infrastructure and a shortage of fuel impede the arrival of imports that are crucial for the nation’s food supply. In Palestine, chronic instability and restrictions on the movement of essential goods have significantly reduced food availability, resulting in deteriorating nutritional indicators.

The situation is concerning in both Mali and Burkina Faso, where insecurity and unstable territorial control are causing market disruptions, hampering agricultural trade, and leading to substantial crop losses. In Burkina Faso, the poorest households in conflict-affected areas are grappling with “market disruptions and limited humanitarian assistance,” according to the latest food security analysis. Mali’s conditions mirror these challenges, with a rapid decline in local food consumption and nutrition levels.

Economic instability is another significant factor driving food insecurity. Rising food prices, currency depreciation, and increases in fuel and agricultural supply costs contribute to this crisis. In Haiti, violence and market disruptions have exacerbated the situation, leaving approximately 5.7 million Haitians, more than half the population, facing acute food insecurity—a figure that continues to rise. Similar circumstances can be observed in Myanmar and Ethiopia, where currency devaluation has markedly decreased households’ purchasing power.

Climate change is now a structural vulnerability factor, with prolonged droughts, flash floods, cyclones, and heat waves impacting agricultural regions heavily reliant on seasonal rainfall. The Horn of Africa is particularly affected, with five consecutive seasons of failed rains resulting in millions of herders and farmers losing livestock and crops. This has led to mass displacement and increased reliance on nutritional programs.

The WFP report emphasizes that these climate-related phenomena, intensified by El Niño variations, are likely to recur. In countries such as South Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia, extreme rainfall following droughts often destroys infrastructure, devastates crops, and contaminates water sources.

A critical element in addressing food insecurity is the significant shortfall in humanitarian funding. The WFP warns that available funds for the current year may reach only $6.4 billion, a stark contrast to what is necessary to sustain its global operations. This shortfall will likely lead to ration cuts and the suspension of essential nutritional programs, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.

The WFP has indicated that limited resources hinder its ability to anticipate hunger spikes caused by seasonal or climate factors, reducing its capacity to act in some of the world’s most at-risk areas. The FAO-WFP report illustrates that food insecurity transcends individual habits, acting as both a symptom and a cause of instability, with repercussions on public health, local economies, and migration patterns.

The interdependence of global markets means that crises in the identified hunger hotspots will have ramifications far beyond their immediate areas, potentially generating additional tensions in importing countries and vulnerable economies. Nevertheless, the report maintains that it is still feasible to avert the predicted deterioration for 2026.

Investing in livelihoods, resilience, and social protection before hunger peaks is described as “a smart investment in long-term peace and stability.” Agricultural support—focusing on seeds, livestock health, and early intervention—is deemed essential for stabilizing food production and reducing dependence on emergency aid. However, the report warns that ongoing funding shortages and obstacles to humanitarian access will severely compromise timely action, risking incalculable human costs if this window of opportunity is ignored.