Famine risk rises in 'hunger hotspots', UN warns

Extreme hunger has intensified in 13 "hunger hotspots," and of these Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, ​Northeast Nigeria and Gaza are at immediate risk ‌of famine without urgent humanitarian intervention, a joint United Nations report warned on Wednesday.

The report was issued by the Food ​and Agriculture Organisation and the World Food Programme.

It ​warned acute food insecurity could worsen in the ⁠hotspots of highest concern between June and November ​2026, with conflict the main driver in almost all ​cases.

Funding cuts have exacerbated the crisis.

Support for food and agricultural assistance fell by about 59% between 2022 and 2025 and roughly ​266 million people face acute food insecurity.

"The warnings ​in this report cannot be ignored," WFP Acting Executive Director Carl ‌Skau ⁠said. 

The Middle East conflict and an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo have further disrupted livelihoods, markets and aid access.

FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol ​urged early ​and scaled-up ⁠action to prevent further deterioration.

In Gaza, conditions have improved since the October 2025 ceasefire ​but remain fragile, with 1.6 million people ​acutely ⁠food insecure.

In Sudan, famine risks persist across multiple regions, with the number facing catastrophic hunger projected to rise ⁠in 2026.

Somalia ​and northeast Nigeria are deteriorating ​rapidly as years of drought, conflict and displacement increase famine risks in ​specific areas.

-Reuters