Communities in five countries face imminent risk of famine and death in the coming months, according to a report launched on 16 June by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali are considered the most critical hotspots, requiring urgent humanitarian action and international coordination to contain conflicts, displacement and the escalating food crisis.
The biannual Hunger Hotspots report, funded by the European Union, predicts that acute food insecurity will worsen in 13 countries by November. In addition to the five in the most serious situation, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar and Nigeria also require immediate attention to avoid the collapse of livelihoods.
In Sudan, more than 24 million people face severe levels of food insecurity, with hundreds of thousands already in a situation of extreme hunger. In the Gaza Strip, the entire population is in a situation of food crisis, with 470,000 people at the highest level of the hunger scale.
In South Sudan, 7.7 million people suffer from severe food insecurity, and at least 63,000 face a direct risk of death from starvation. In Haiti, armed violence and forced displacement prevent access to aid, and in Mali, conflict and high food prices threaten thousands with extreme hunger.
In South Sudan, 7.7 million people suffer from severe food insecurity, and at least 63,000 face a direct risk of death from starvation. In Haiti, armed violence and forced displacement prevent access to aid, and in Mali, conflict and high food prices threaten thousands with extreme hunger.
“Hunger today is a daily emergency for millions,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. WFP Director Cindy McCain emphasized that time to act is running out and that without adequate access and funding, lives will be lost.
Read the full Hunger Hotspots report (available in English).