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The new one Hunger Hotspots Report released Wednesday by UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and it World Food Program (WFP) identify 13 countries and territories where food insecurity is expected to worsen between June and November 2026.
Rock bottom
Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine remain the most critical flashpoints, while Nigeria and Somalia have moved into the highest risk category amid growing fears of famine.
Conflict remains the main cause of hunger, affecting 12 of the 13 hotspots.
“Conflict, shocks and disasters force families to make impossible decisions about who gets to eat and who goes to bed hungry,” said WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau.
Hunger worsens as aid wanes
This warning comes as humanitarian funding continues to decline.
Support for food aid, emergency agricultural programs and nutrition response in crisis situations down about 59 percent between 2022 and 2025 – levels not seen in nearly a decade.
At the same time, some 266 million people in these countries face severe food insecurity.
“The challenge is whether we act early enough and on the scale necessary,” he said F.A.O Deputy Director General Beth Bechdol.
FAO notes that emergency support for agriculture remains one of the most effective ways to help families continue producing food and reduce dependence on aid.
The worst crisis
Sudan remains the world’s worst hunger crisis, with the risk of famine across the Darfur and South Kordofan regions expected to persist until early 2027. Nearly 20 million people faced crisis-level hunger or worse at the start of this year.
Yemen continues to experience one of the world’s most serious hunger crises, with previous estimates suggesting more than 18 million people will face severe food shortages.
In the Palestineconditions in Gaza remain fragile despite some improvements following a ceasefire in October 2025. More than 1.6 million people were previously assessed as needing urgent food support.
Nigeria has entered the highest risk category after forecasts showed parts of Borno state could face famine.
Somalia also improved due to drought, conflict and poor harvests, with the risk of famine identified in the Burhakaba District.
Worsening condition
The report warns that a new crisis could make conditions worse.
“Economic shocks are exacerbating food insecurity, and climate change and climate variability are also further exacerbating the situation,” Jean-Martin Bauer, Director of the World Food Program (WFP) Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service.
Conflicts in the Middle East and current affairs Ebola epidemic in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo could further disrupt markets and humanitarian access.
Climate risks are also increasing, and the possibility of an El Niño is expected to bring drought and flooding to already vulnerable areas.
FAO and WFP urge governments and donors to increase support now to prevent worse conditions.
“As of June 2026 only about a third of the highly prioritized requirements for food security funding and activities globally have been met, leaving very difficult choices,” said FAO Director, Rein Paulsen, while briefing journalists at UN Headquarters.
The agencies stressed that early action would save lives and resources and warned that without stronger political commitment and more reliable funding, hunger is likely to worsen in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
