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ROME – The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have identified 22 countries at risk of worsening food insecurity, with Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali categorized as “highest concern.” The report, titled “Hunger Hotspots: FAO-WFP Early Warnings on Acute Food Insecurity,” projects food shortages in these areas through March 2025, driven by intensifying conflict, extreme climate patterns, and economic hardships.
According to the report, conflict remains a primary driver of hunger in many regions. Ongoing violence disrupts food systems, forces mass displacement, and hampers humanitarian efforts. The situation in the Middle East, where recent conflict has affected both Gaza and neighboring Lebanon, is particularly severe, pushing millions closer to extreme hunger and malnutrition.
In addition to conflict, climate instability, such as the La Niña weather pattern, is projected to worsen droughts, floods, and other extreme conditions in already vulnerable areas. The report cautions that these factors threaten fragile food systems and could intensify crises in hotspots worldwide, from South Sudan and Somalia to Yemen.
Economic instability is another significant factor exacerbating food insecurity. Developing nations face high debt levels and limited resources to shield their populations from these shocks. The report emphasizes that such economic struggles limit governments’ abilities to respond effectively to poverty and climate challenges, leaving populations at greater risk of food scarcity.
In a joint statement, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu stressed the need for peace and humanitarian access, particularly in the five countries deemed to be at the highest level of concern. He called for “a humanitarian ceasefire” to facilitate the flow of essential, nutritious food to those in need. Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director, echoed the urgency of the situation, urging world leaders to mobilize resources and partnerships to address global hunger before conditions worsen further.
This latest report underscores the necessity for targeted, early intervention to prevent worsening hunger. As humanitarian organizations face mounting challenges in delivering aid to affected regions, the FAO and WFP call for international cooperation to deliver diplomatic solutions, enabling aid to reach those in need and ensuring food security.
