Without an immediate and substantial aid response, the populations in these five critical areas risk facing extreme hunger, famine, and death in the coming months, according to a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

“This report serves as a stark warning. We have clear data on where hunger is escalating and who is most vulnerable,” stated Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme.

Devastating crises are intensified by growing restrictions on access and severe funding shortfalls. 

Gaza and Sudan: critical hunger hotspots

In Sudan, famine has been a confirmed reality since 2024. The UN anticipates this dire situation will persist due to ongoing conflict and widespread displacement, particularly impacting the regions of Grand Kordofan and Grand Darfur.

Approximately 24.6 million individuals are projected to face crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, with 637,000 people experiencing catastrophic conditions by May 2025.

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 individuals projected to face catastrophic circumstances by September 2025.

Catastrophic levels in Haiti

South Sudan faces a confirmed risk of famine in two of its regions, painting a “somber outlook” for the East African nation.

Around 7.7 million people, representing 57% of the population, are anticipated to experience high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2025, with 63,000 individuals expected to endure catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity.

In Haiti, unprecedented levels of gang violence and pervasive insecurity are displacing communities and paralyzing access for humanitarian assistance. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons are already grappling with 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 resilience of the most vulnerable households, particularly in conflict-affected zones. Roughly 2,600 people are at risk of catastrophic food insecurity between June and August 2025 if timely aid is not provided.

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

“This report unequivocally demonstrates that hunger is not a distant threat today; it is a daily emergency for millions,” emphasized Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO. 

“We must act decisively and collaboratively now to preserve lives and protect livelihoods.”

Despite budget cuts, some progress observed

In a positive development, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the list of hunger hotspots.

This improvement in food security in East and Southern Africa, as well as Niger, is attributed to better climatic 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 insecurity in several global regions occurs amidst severe funding deficits, which necessitate cuts to food rations and limit the scope of vital nutrition and agricultural interventions.

“We possess the necessary tools and expertise to respond effectively, but without adequate funding and unimpeded access, our capacity to save lives is severely hampered. Urgent and sustained investment in food aid and recovery support is paramount, as the window to avert another devastating famine is rapidly closing,” emphasized Ms. McCain.