UN Reports Famine Risk Rising in 13 Global Hunger Hotspots Due to Aid Cuts and Conflict
Escalating Global Hunger Crisis: Key Findings and Regional Impacts
UN Report Highlights Immediate Famine Threats
ROME, June 17 (Reuters) - Extreme hunger has intensified in 13 "hunger hotspots," and of these Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Northeast Nigeria and Gaza are at immediate risk of famine without urgent humanitarian intervention, a joint United Nations report warned on Wednesday.
Report Issuers and Scope
• The report was issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme.
Projected Worsening of Food Insecurity
• It warned acute food insecurity could worsen in the hotspots of highest concern between June and November 2026, with conflict the main driver in almost all cases.
Funding Cuts and Their Impact
Reduced Support for Food Assistance
• Funding cuts have exacerbated the crisis.
• Support for food and agricultural assistance fell by about 59% between 2022 and 2025 and roughly 266 million people face acute food insecurity.
Urgent Calls to Action
• "The warnings in this report cannot be ignored," WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau said.
Regional Factors Exacerbating Hunger
Middle East and Africa: Conflict and Disease
• The Middle East conflict and an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have further disrupted livelihoods, markets and aid access.
FAO Recommendations
• FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol urged early and scaled-up action to prevent further deterioration.
Country-Specific Situations
Gaza
Post-Ceasefire Conditions
• In Gaza, conditions have improved since the October 2025 ceasefire but remain fragile, with 1.6 million people acutely food insecure.
Sudan
Rising Famine Risks
• In Sudan, famine risks persist across multiple regions, with the number facing catastrophic hunger projected to rise in 2026.
Somalia and Northeast Nigeria
Deteriorating Humanitarian Situation
• Somalia and northeast Nigeria are deteriorating rapidly as years of drought, conflict and displacement increase famine risks in specific areas.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting By Gavin Jones; editing by Barbara Lewis)
