Without an immediate and substantial humanitarian response, populations in these five critical flashpoints face extreme hunger, with a heightened risk of famine and mortality in the upcoming months, according to a collaborative report from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

“This report serves as a stark red alert. We are fully aware of where hunger is intensifying and who is most vulnerable,” stated Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme.

These devastating crises are compounded by escalating access restrictions and severe funding deficits.

Gaza and Sudan: critical hunger hotspots

In Sudan, famine has been a confirmed reality since 2024. The UN projects this dire situation will persist due to ongoing conflict and widespread population displacement, particularly in the Greater Kordofan and Greater Darfur regions. Approximately 24.6 million individuals are anticipated to face crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, with 637,000 experiencing catastrophic conditions through May 2025.

For Gaza, the risk of famine continues to escalate as extensive military operations severely impede the delivery of vital humanitarian aid, encompassing both food and non-food items. The entire population of the Palestinian enclave, totaling 2.1 million people, is expected to endure crisis-level or more severe acute food insecurity, with 470,000 individuals projected to face catastrophic conditions until September 2025.

Catastrophic levels in Haiti

In South Sudan, the confirmed risk of famine across two regions paints a grim picture for this East African nation. Around 7.7 million people, representing 57% of the population, are expected to confront high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2025. Among these, 63,000 individuals are anticipated to experience catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity.

Haiti is grappling with record-breaking gang violence and insecurity, which are displacing communities and severely hindering humanitarian access. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons are already experiencing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity within the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince by June 2025.

Concerns in Mali

Meanwhile, in Mali, soaring cereal prices and persistent conflict are eroding the coping mechanisms of the most vulnerable households, especially in conflict-affected areas. Roughly 2,600 people are at risk of catastrophic food insecurity between June and August 2025 if timely assistance is not provided.

Beyond these most critical hunger hotspots, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are now identified as highly concerning areas requiring immediate attention to save lives and livelihoods. Additional hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.

“This report unequivocally demonstrates that hunger today is not a distant threat; it is a daily emergency for millions,” emphasized Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO. “We must act now, and we must act collectively, to save lives and protect livelihoods.”

Progress despite funding cuts

In a contrasting development, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the list of hunger hotspots. This improvement in East and Southern Africa, as well as Niger, is attributed to better climate conditions for harvests and a reduction in extreme weather events. Lebanon’s removal from the list follows a decrease in the intensity of military operations.

However, the overall deterioration of food security in many global regions coincides with severe funding shortfalls, necessitating cuts in food rations and thereby limiting the scope of crucial nutrition and agricultural interventions. “We possess the necessary tools and experience to respond, but without adequate funding and access, we cannot save lives,” insisted Ms. McCain. “Urgent and sustained investment in food aid and recovery support is paramount, as the window to prevent another devastating famine is rapidly closing.”