UN warns hunger crisis growing without urgent global aid

Food is distributed by the UN in Unity State, South Sudan.

Since conflict erupted in Sudan, more than a million people have fled to neighboring South Sudan, seeking refuge from escalating violence that has displaced 12.4 million people and plunged over half the Sudanese population into food insecurity.

But hunger has followed them. Over 57 percent of the population in the world’s youngest country is already facing high levels of acute food insecurity.

Sudan and South Sudan are among five global hunger hotspots of “highest concern,” trapped in a worsening cycle of conflict, climate shocks, and economic decline.

Continued fighting in Sudan, anticipated flooding affecting its southern neighbor, and deteriorating economic conditions in both countries are set to intensify hunger in the coming months.

A new report released on Monday by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) also identified Palestine, Mali, and Haiti as other top-priority hunger hotspots, with seven additional countries likely to see worsening food security over the next five months.

The report, which analyzes existing data to project the nature of food insecurity, emphasized that without immediate humanitarian assistance, people living in these hotspots will face severe food conditions and high risks of starvation and death.

“This report makes it very clear: hunger today is not a distant threat—it is a daily emergency for millions. We must act now and act together to save lives and safeguard livelihoods,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu.

Conflict-driven hunger

The report identified conflict as the main driver of hunger, often compounded by climate and economic shocks.

“There’s an ongoing famine in Sudan and also a risk of famine in the case of Gaza. And all of those are driven by conflict and lack of access for humanitarians,” said Jean-Martin Bauer, FAO’s food security analysis director.

In Gaza, the entire population of 2.1 million is projected to experience crisis levels of food insecurity in the coming months due to ongoing military operations, with almost 500,000 expected to face catastrophic hunger.

Sawsan was an artist in Gaza before the conflict began. Since then, she and her four children have been displaced, losing everything. They do not have enough to eat—Sawsan told WFP she now crushes macaroni to make bread for her children.

Window closing fast

In recent months, humanitarian food operations have faced significant shortages and have been geographically impeded by security crises that make aid delivery dangerous.

WFP and FAO are calling on the international community to drastically increase funding for food and nutrition-related humanitarian aid and to advocate for an end to the fighting.

“Urgent, sustained investment in food assistance and recovery support is crucial as the window to avert yet more devastating hunger is closing fast,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

‘Red alert’

In May, the food aid sector estimated it would need $12.2 billion, but only nine percent of that was funded.

The report also underlined the importance of shifting to longer-term humanitarian strategies that equip communities with self-sustaining capabilities and are more cost-effective.

“This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk. We have the tools and experience to respond, but without funding and access, we cannot save lives,” said Ms. McCain.