Global Acute Hunger Doubles; German Aid Group Warns UN Goal Unachievable

Global Acute Hunger Doubles; German Aid Group Warns UN Goal Unachievable
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The German aid organization Welthungerhilfe (World Hunger Aid) announced that the number of people facing acute hunger globally doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year. The charity warned that the United Nations’ goal of eradicating hunger by 2030 is now effectively out of reach.

The organization stated on Thursday, October 9, that the fight against global hunger has essentially reversed, showing no significant improvement since 2016, according to Deutsche Welle Farsi.

The report identified violent conflicts as the most common cause of the food crisis, particularly in Gaza and Sudan. In the past year, approximately 140 million people were affected by 20 major food crises.

Welthungerhilfe provided alarming statistics for key conflict zones:

Sudan: Between December 2024 and May 2025, nearly 25 million people faced acute food insecurity. The UN separately reported in July 2025 that over 50% of Sudan’s population is acutely food insecure, with about 770,000 children under five at risk of severe malnutrition.

Gaza: Roughly one-third of the population, or 641,000 people, are living in near-famine conditions. While a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has raised hopes for immediate humanitarian access, the aid delivered so far remains insufficient.

Welthungerhilfe heavily criticized the reduction in aid budgets, warning that global efforts to fight hunger are being weakened while military assistance increases.

The organization urged the European Union and UN member states to guarantee funding for humanitarian projects and called for the accountability of individuals who use hunger as a weapon of war.