UN Report Warns of Worsening Hunger Crisis in 22 Countries
A recent UN report highlights an alarming rise in acute hunger, projecting that nearly two dozen countries, including Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Palestine, and Haiti, will face severe food insecurity over the next six months due to ongoing conflicts and climate challenges.
The Hunger Hotspots report, released by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), identifies 22 regions where acute food crises are expected to escalate from November 2024 to May 2025, an article by The Guardian revealed yesterday.
Sudan is particularly affected, with an 18-month conflict disrupting food systems and humanitarian access, exacerbated by extreme weather events such as floods.
The report categorizes Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Palestine, and Haiti as experiencing the highest levels of concern, indicating imminent famine risks. FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu stated that these regions are facing unprecedented starvation levels. In Sudan, the ongoing war has led to daily reports of child hunger-related deaths and declared famine conditions in displacement camps.
Additionally, Chad, Nigeria, Mozambique, Lebanon, Myanmar, Syria, and Yemen are classified as hotspots of very high concern, where large populations are facing critical food insecurity. Notably, Namibia and Lesotho have appeared on the list for the first time, primarily due to adverse weather impacts on agriculture.
The report also warns of the potential effects of a La Niña climate phenomenon, which could lead to increased flooding in some regions while causing droughts in others, further complicating the food security landscape.
Experts emphasize the urgent need for international humanitarian efforts to address these crises and advocate for conflict de-escalation to prevent further loss of life. The report calls for immediate assistance to protect livelihoods and improve food access in the affected areas.
