Food Insecurity to Rise Across 22 Countries Amid Conflict and Climate Crisis, UN Report Finds

A new United Nations report warns that acute food insecurity is expected to worsen in 22 countries and territories, mainly due to increasing conflicts, climate instability, and economic pressures. The report, jointly issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), highlights severe hunger crises that will likely increase without swift and targeted humanitarian intervention. From November 2024 to May 2025, hundreds of thousands more people may face extreme hunger, with countries such as Sudan, Palestine, and Haiti being particularly vulnerable to starvation and death.

Conflict remains a critical factor in these crises, particularly in the Middle East, where unrest in Gaza has triggered regional instability. This has led to rising tensions in neighboring Lebanon and other areas, pushing communities to the edge of survival. Simultaneously, the La Nina weather pattern threatens to exacerbate conditions, with its effects expected to impact global climates until March 2025. While some areas may see agricultural benefits, La Nina is also predicted to trigger devastating floods in Nigeria and South Sudan and drought conditions in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. Such extreme weather events endanger fragile food systems in these already vulnerable regions, putting millions more at risk of hunger.

The report, titled Hunger Hotspots – FAO-WFP Early Warnings on Acute Food Insecurity, identifies 22 “hunger hotspots,” where food insecurity is anticipated to worsen due to conflict, economic instability, and climate shocks. It urges immediate humanitarian action to prevent starvation, particularly in the five regions of highest concern: Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu described the situation in these regions as catastrophic, stressing that people are now facing unprecedented starvation as conflicts, climate crises, and economic shocks converge. Dongyu highlighted the importance of a humanitarian ceasefire, restoring access to essential food supplies, and reviving local agriculture. However, he noted that long-term peace is crucial for lasting food security, as stability allows farmers to cultivate and sustain food production, which is key to alleviating hunger.

Since the last Hunger Hotspots report in June 2024, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, and Niger have joined the ranks of crisis areas, adding to the list of countries with deteriorating food conditions, including Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Malawi, Somalia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. These areas are at a high risk of acute food insecurity worsening, with populations facing catastrophic conditions without intervention.

The report calls for a global response, urging world leaders to take decisive action to address these crises by prioritizing conflict resolution, providing economic support, and implementing climate adaptation measures. The report highlights that addressing these issues isn’t just a matter of survival but of securing the fundamental human right to access nutritious food.