Without a swift and substantial humanitarian aid response, the populations in these five critical hotspots face the imminent threat of extreme hunger, widespread famine, and mortality in the coming months. This dire warning comes from a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme, underscored the gravity of the situation, stating, “This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is increasing and who is in danger.”

These devastating crises are compounded by increasingly restricted access for aid organizations and severe funding shortfalls, exacerbating the challenges faced by those in need. 

Gaza and Sudan: critical hunger hotspots

In Sudan, famine has been a confirmed reality since 2024, and the United Nations projects its persistence due to ongoing conflict and mass displacement, particularly in the Grand Kordofan and Grand Darfur regions. Approximately 24.6 million individuals are anticipated to face crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, with 637,000 projected to endure catastrophic conditions by May 2025.

Meanwhile, in Gaza, the likelihood of famine is escalating as large-scale military operations severely impede the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, including food and non-food items. The entire population of the Palestinian enclave, totaling 2.1 million people, is expected to confront crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, with 470,000 facing catastrophic circumstances by September 2025.

Catastrophic levels in Haiti

South Sudan faces a bleak prognosis, with the risk of famine confirmed in two of its regions. An estimated 7.7 million people, representing 57% of the nation’s populace, are projected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2025. Among these, 63,000 individuals are expected to confront catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity.

In Haiti, unprecedented levels of gang violence and pervasive insecurity are causing widespread displacement and crippling aid access. Already, over 8,400 internally displaced persons in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area are contending with catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity, a situation projected to worsen by June 2025.

Concerns in Mali

Concurrently, in Mali, soaring cereal prices and persistent conflict are severely eroding the resilience of the most vulnerable households, particularly in conflict-affected zones. An estimated 2,600 people risk catastrophic food insecurity between June and August 2025 if timely aid interventions are not implemented.

Beyond these immediate and most concerning hotspots, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are also identified as highly alarming areas, demanding urgent attention to preserve lives and livelihoods. Additional hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.

Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO, underscored the urgency, stating, “This report clearly shows: hunger today is not a distant threat – it’s a daily emergency for millions of people.”

“We must act now, and act together, to save lives and preserve livelihoods.”

Progress despite budget cuts

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

However, the global deterioration of food insecurity in several regions is occurring amidst severe funding shortfalls, which are forcing cuts to food rations and limiting the reach of vital nutrition and agricultural interventions.

“We possess the tools and experience to respond, but without funding and access, we cannot save lives. Urgent and sustained investment in food aid and recovery support is crucial, as the window to avert another devastating famine is rapidly closing,” emphasized Ms. McCain.