UN Issues Urgent Warning of Famine Risk in 13 Countries

The United Nations has issued a critical warning about the risk of hunger and famine in 13 countries and territories worldwide, with five nations facing imminent famine conditions. A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme highlights the severe and deteriorating food security situation across multiple regions. "Hunger is not a threat of the future. It is today's reality for millions," stated FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu, underscoring the urgency of the crisis.

Sudan faces the most critical situation, with conflict and economic crisis leaving over 24.6 million people without adequate access to food. In the Gaza Strip, the entire population of approximately 2.1 million people is projected to face crisis-level or more severe food shortages. Using the UN's five-tier food security classification system, the three highest levels indicate acute food scarcity. Haiti, South Sudan, and Mali complete the list of five most severely affected nations. In Haiti, more than 8,400 internally displaced persons are already experiencing catastrophic hunger levels. South Sudan faces potential food shortage affecting 57 percent of its population, while Mali could see 2,600 people facing famine conditions during summer months.

The report identifies nine additional countries requiring urgent attention: Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria. These nations are flagged as priority areas for international intervention to protect lives and preserve livelihoods. However, the UN has removed several countries from the critical hunger watchlist where conditions have improved, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Zimbabwe, and Niger.

Beyond the immediate crisis zones, broader regional food insecurity persists across Europe and Central Asia, where more than 107 million people have experienced moderate to acute food shortages in recent years. According to FAO Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia Viorel Guțu, the deterioration is driven by climate change, biodiversity loss, land degradation, and water scarcity. Economic instability and armed conflicts have further strained agricultural sectors. The region has experienced extensive land degradation affecting approximately 90 million hectares, reducing soil productivity and exacerbating food security challenges.