United Nations’ food agencies have warned that acute hunger is expected to worsen across 13 global hotspots in the coming months due to conflict, climate shocks and funding shortages.
In a joint report, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) said that around 266 million people are already facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine remain the countries of greatest concern, while Nigeria and Somalia have been added to the high-risk list as famine threats grow.
The report noted that funding for food assistance has fallen by nearly 60 per cent since 2022, even as humanitarian needs continue to rise.
WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau warned that millions more people could face worsening hunger and be pushed closer to famine without immediate action.
The report said conditions in Gaza have improved since the October 2025 ceasefire but remain fragile, with around 1.6 million people still facing acute food insecurity.
The UN agencies also warned that spillover effects from the Middle East conflict and an Ebola outbreak in eastern Congo are further disrupting livelihoods and aid access.