Without an immediate and extensive humanitarian response, the populations in these five critical hotspots face extreme hunger, with a high risk of 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).

“This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is increasing and who is at risk,” stated Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme.

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

Gaza and Sudan: Grave Concerns on the Global Hunger Map

In Sudan, famine has been a grim reality since 2024, with expectations for the situation to persist due to ongoing conflict and mass displacement, particularly in the Grand Kordofan and Grand Darfur regions. Approximately 24.6 million individuals are projected to face crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, with 637,000 enduring catastrophic conditions through May 2025.

The likelihood of famine in Gaza is intensifying as widespread military operations severely impede the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, including vital food and non-food supplies. The entire population of the Palestinian enclave, estimated at 2.1 million people, is anticipated to experience crisis-level or worse acute food insecurity, with 470,000 individuals facing catastrophic circumstances until September 2025.

Catastrophic Levels in Haiti and South Sudan

South Sudan faces a bleak outlook, with the risk of famine confirmed in two of its regions. Around 7.7 million people, representing 57% of the nation’s population, are expected to confront high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2025. A staggering 63,000 people are predicted to suffer from catastrophic acute food insecurity levels.

Haiti is grappling with unprecedented levels of gang violence and insecurity, leading to widespread community displacement and crippling access for aid. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince are already experiencing catastrophic acute food insecurity by June 2025.

Mounting Worries 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. An estimated 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 locations, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are also identified as highly concerning hotspots, requiring urgent intervention to save lives and livelihoods. Additional regions of concern include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.

“This report makes it clear: hunger today is not a distant threat – it is a daily emergency for millions of people,” emphasized Qu Dongyu, the Director-General of the FAO. “We must act now, and act together, to save lives and preserve livelihoods.”

Progress Amidst Funding Shortfalls

Conversely, some regions have seen improvements, with Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe removed from the list of hunger hotspots. This positive shift 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 follows a decrease in the intensity of military operations.

This alarming rise in global food insecurity unfolds against a backdrop of severe funding deficits, which necessitate cuts to food rations and limit the reach of crucial nutrition and agricultural interventions.

“We possess the necessary tools and experience to respond effectively, but without adequate funding and 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 prevent another devastating famine is rapidly closing,” Ms. McCain emphasized.