FAO and WFP Warn Acute Hunger Will Worsen in 13 Global Hotspots

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and World Food Programme have warned that acute hunger will deteriorate across 13 global hotspots between June and November 2026. An estimated 266 million people already face high levels of acute food insecurity, with Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Yemen and Palestine identified as areas of highest concern.

A joint Hunger Hotspots report released on June 17, 2026 identifies Afghanistan, Myanmar, South Sudan, Somalia, Haiti, Sudan, Palestine, Yemen, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Nigeria and Mali as the 13 hotspots at acute risk. Seven of the 13 are in Africa. Sudan is flagged as the most alarming case, with famine risk across 14 areas in North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan projected through September 2026, and famine conditions expected to persist into January 2027. Nigeria has been newly elevated to the highest-risk category due to catastrophic hunger projections in Borno State.

Armed conflict drives hunger in 12 of the 13 hotspots, compounded by economic pressures including inflation, higher energy and fertiliser costs and slower global growth. Climate shocks are intensifying the crisis: a potential transition to El Niño conditions could disrupt rainfall and agricultural production. Humanitarian food-assistance funding has fallen by an estimated 59 per cent between 2022 and 2025, even as the number of people facing severe hunger has doubled globally. As of June 2026, only about one third of funding requirements had been met.

FAO and WFP are calling for urgent international action, early intervention and greater investment in resilience to prevent famine and protect livelihoods. In South Sudan, four counties in Jonglei and Upper Nile states face a risk of famine through July 2026. Lebanon and Madagascar have been newly added to the hotspot list because of escalating conflict and adverse weather respectively. The agencies warn that without substantially increased funding and coordinated response, the scale of humanitarian action will remain critically constrained through the harvest season.

Key figure — 266 million people