UN names five intensifying global “hunger hotspots” in red alert

A recent joint UN report warns that populations in five global “hunger hotspots” face extreme hunger and risk of starvation and death in the coming months unless urgent humanitarian action and a coordinated international effort de-escalate conflict, stem displacement, and deliver an urgent full-scale aid response.

The latest Hunger Hotspots report shows that Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali are of highest concern, with existing famine intensifying due to persisting conflict, economic shocks, and natural hazards.

The crises are being exacerbated by growing access constraints and critical funding shortfalls.

“This report makes it very clear: hunger today is not a distant threat – it is a daily emergency for millions,” says FAO director-general Qu Dongyu.

“This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,” says Cindy McCain, World Food Programme executive director. “We have the tools and experience to respond, but without funding and access, we cannot save lives.”

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

Hotspots in highest alert

The semi-annual Hunger Hotspots report, supported by the EU through the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), serves as an early warning and predictive analysis of worsening food crises over the next five months.

The most recent edition forecasts a significant deterioration of acute food insecurity in 13 countries and territories, identifying them as the world’s most critical hunger hotspots.

In Sudan, famine was confirmed in 2024 and is expected to continue due to ongoing conflict and displacement, particularly in the Greater Kordofan and Greater Darfur regions. Displacement is likely to increase further while humanitarian access remains restricted. These conditions are pushing the country toward the risk of partial economic collapse, with high inflation severely limiting food access. 

Through May 2025, an estimated 24.6 million people were projected to face “Crisis” level or worse levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above), including 637,000 people facing “Catastrophe” (IPC Phase 5).

In Palestine, the likelihood of famine in the Gaza Strip is increasing as large-scale military operations hinder the delivery of vital food and non-food humanitarian assistance. Compounding the humanitarian crisis, high food prices, exhausted livelihoods, and a commercial blockade will accelerate an economic collapse.

The entire population in Gaza — 2.1 million people — is projected to face “Crisis” or worse levels of acute food insecurity, with 470,000 people projected to face “Catastrophe” through September 2025.

South Sudan faces compounding threats from political tensions, the risk of flooding, and economic challenges. Approximately 7.7 million people — or 57% of the population — are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) between April and July 2025, with 63,000 people projected to face “Catastrophe” levels of acute food insecurity.

An IPC update released after the report’s finalization indicated a risk of famine in two areas of the country and confirmed the bleak outlook.

In Haiti, record levels of gang violence and insecurity are displacing communities and crippling aid access. Over 8,400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area were already facing “Catastrophe” levels of acute food insecurity by June 2025.

Meanwhile, in Mali, high grain prices and ongoing conflict are eroding the coping capacities of the most vulnerable households, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Around 2,600 people are at risk of “Catastrophe” from June to August 2025 if assistance is not provided on time.

Aid delivery hindered

In Myanmar, a recent major earthquake is expected to worsen the already severe food insecurity, which is caused by increasing conflict, extensive displacement, significant access restrictions, and high food prices. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been added back to the hotspot list due to escalating conflict.

Conversely, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the Hunger Hotspots list. This improvement in East and Southern Africa, as well as Niger, is due to better climatic conditions for harvests and fewer extreme weather events, which have eased food security pressures.

Lebanon was also delisted because of reduced military operations. However, the FAO and WFP caution that these improvements are delicate and could quickly be reversed if new shocks occur.

Across many hotspots, aid delivery is severely hindered by limited humanitarian access resulting from insecurity, bureaucratic obstacles, or physical isolation. Additionally, critical funding shortages are reducing food rations and limiting the scope of vital nutrition and agricultural interventions.

In addition, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria are now considered hotspots of very high concern, requiring immediate attention to save lives and livelihoods. Other hotspots include Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.