Worsening Hunger in 13 Hotspots Threatens Extreme Food Insecurity and Starvation in Millions

Strategic Insights -

A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) highlights the urgent need for humanitarian action and international coordination to address extreme hunger in 13 hotspots worldwide. Five of these hotspots - Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali - are at the highest risk of starvation, with millions of people already facing acute food insecurity due to conflict, economic shocks, and natural hazards.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sudan is facing a confirmed famine in 2024, with 24.6 million people projected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity, including 637,000 people facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) through May 2025.
  • In Palestine, the likelihood of famine in the Gaza Strip is growing, with 2.1 million people projected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity, and 470,000 projected to face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) through September 2025.
  • South Sudan is facing compounding threats from political tensions, the risk of flooding, and economic challenges, with 7.7 million people (57% of the population) projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) between April and July 2025.
  • Haiti is experiencing record levels of gang violence and insecurity, displacing communities and crippling aid access, with over 8,400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) already facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) levels of acute food insecurity in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area by June 2025.
  • Mali is facing high grain prices and ongoing conflict, which are eroding the coping capacities of vulnerable households, with around 2,600 people at risk of Catastrophe (CH Phase 5) from June to August 2025 if assistance is not provided on time.
  • Myanmar is experiencing a worsening food insecurity situation due to escalating conflict, widespread displacement, severe access restrictions, and high food prices.
  • The Democratic Republic of the Congo has been reintroduced to the hotspot list due to intensifying conflict.
  • Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe have been removed from the Hunger Hotspots list due to improved food security conditions.
  • FAO and WFP emphasize the importance of continued investments in early humanitarian action to pre-emptive interventions that save lives, reduce food gaps, and protect assets and livelihoods.

Statistics:

  • 24.6 million people projected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity in Sudan through May 2025.
  • 2.1 million people projected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above) levels of acute food insecurity in Palestine, with 470,000 projected to face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) through September 2025.
  • 7.7 million people (57% of the population) projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 or above) in South Sudan between April and July 2025.
  • 8,400 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Haiti already facing Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) levels of acute food insecurity in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area by June 2025.
  • 2,600 people at risk of Catastrophe (CH Phase 5) in Mali from June to August 2025 if assistance is not provided on time.

Sources:

  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • World Food Programme (WFP)
  • M2 PressWIRE - June 16, 2025