un-led report highlights extreme hunger alerts in gaza, haiti, Sudan, south Sudan, and Mali

Without a swift and substantial humanitarian response, populations in these five critical hotspots face extreme hunger, with an escalating 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 serves as a red alert. We have clear data on where hunger is intensifying and who is most vulnerable,” stated Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme.

These devastating crises are further aggravated by growing access limitations and severe funding shortfalls.

Gaza and Sudan: Critical Hunger Hotspots

In Sudan, famine was confirmed in 2024, and the UN predicts its persistence due to ongoing conflict and widespread displacement, particularly impacting the Greater Kordofan and Darfur regions. Approximately 24.6 million individuals are anticipated to face crisis levels or worse of acute food insecurity, with 637,000 experiencing catastrophic conditions through May 2025.

In Gaza, the likelihood of famine is rapidly escalating as large-scale military operations severely impede the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, including food and other vital supplies. The entire population of the Palestinian enclave, estimated at 2.1 million people, is expected to encounter crisis levels or worse of acute food insecurity, with 470,000 facing catastrophic circumstances until September 2025.

Catastrophic Levels of Insecurity in Haiti

South Sudan faces a grim outlook, with confirmed famine risk in two of its regions. Around 7.7 million people, representing 57% of the nation’s population, are projected to experience high levels of acute food insecurity between April and July 2025, with 63,000 reaching catastrophic levels.

In Haiti, unprecedented levels of gang violence and pervasive insecurity are displacing communities and severely disrupting humanitarian aid access. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince are already contending with catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity by June 2025.

Concerns Mount 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 zones. Approximately 2,600 individuals risk catastrophic food insecurity between June and August 2025 if timely aid is not provided.

Beyond these immediate 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; it is an everyday emergency for millions,” underscored Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO. “We must act decisively and collaboratively, right now, to preserve lives and secure livelihoods.”

Progress Despite Funding Cuts

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

However, the overall deterioration of food security in many global regions coincides with severe funding deficits that are forcing reductions in food rations, thereby limiting the reach of critical nutrition and agricultural interventions.

“We possess the tools and expertise to respond, 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 avert further devastating famine is rapidly closing,” emphasized Ms. McCain.