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UN warns : Acute food insecurity is set to increase in
magnitude and severity in 22 countries and territories
Acute food insecurity is set to in- due to the combination of con!ict, ships needed to halt global hunger in
crease in both magnitude and severity economic instability, and climate its tracks,” Director McCain added.
across 22 countries and territories, ac- shocks during the outlook period.
cording to HYPERLINK "https://open- Without immediate intervention, in- The e"ects of the La Niña weather
knowledge.fao.org/items/21824350- cluding increased funding for food pattern, anticipated to impact glob-
cfc8-4ac6-87ef-ce925df137e3"a new and livelihoods assistance, hundreds al climates from November 2024
United Nations report. The report of thousands more people are ex- through March 2025, are expected
warns that the spread of con!ict, par- pected to face starvation in the com- to further exacerbate some of the
ticularly in the Middle East – coupled ing months. food crises. While some areas may
with climate and economic stressors bene#t from improved agricultural
- is pushing millions of people to the “The situation in the #ve hunger conditions, La Niña is likely to cause
brink. The report spotlights the re- hotspots of highest concern is cata- devastating !oods in countries such
gional fallout from the crisis in Gaza strophic. People are experiencing an as Nigeria and South Sudan, while
which has seen Lebanon engulfed in extreme lack of food and face unprec- potentially contributing to dry con-
con!ict and warns that the La Niña edented enduring starvation fuelled ditions in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethio-
weather pattern could impact cli- by escalating con!icts, climate crises pia. These extreme weather events
mates through March 2025, threat- and economic shocks. If we are to threaten already fragile food systems,
ening fragile food systems in already save lives and prevent acute hunger putting millions at risk of hunger.
vulnerable regions. and malnutrition, we urgently need a The report stresses that early, tar-
humanitarian cease#re, and to restore
The report draws attention to fam- access to and availability of highly nu- geted action is essential to prevent
ine in the Zamzam camp in North tritious food, including reactivating the further deterioration of the crisis
Darfur and famine risk in other areas local food production. But this alone and avert mass hunger-related mor-
of Sudan, the enduring risk of fam- is not enough; we need longer-term tality. FAO and WFP are urging world
ine in Palestine (Gaza Strip) and the stability and food security. Peace is a leaders to prioritize con!ict resolu-
catastrophic levels of acute food in- pre-requisite for food security. With- tion, economic support, and climate
security in Haiti, Mali and South Su- out peace and stability, farmers can- adaptation measures to protect the
dan. It warns that without immediate not grow food, harvest or sustain most vulnerable populations from
humanitarian action and concerted their livelihoods. Access to nutritious the brink of famine.
e"orts to overcome severe access food is not just a basic need – it is a Key Findings
constraints and resolve ongoing con- fundamental human right,” said QU According to the report, Palestine,
!icts, further starvation and death are Dongyu, FAO Director-General.
the Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti and
likely. “Worldwide, con!icts are escalating, Mali remain at the highest alert level
The report - ‘Hunger Hotspots – FAO- economic instability is rising, and cli- and require the most urgent atten-
WFP early warnings on acute food in- mate disasters are becoming the new tion. Con!ict is the primary driver of
security’ - issued today by the Food norm. With more e"ective political hunger in all these areas. All hotspots
and Agriculture Organization of the and #nancial support, humanitarians of the highest concern have commu-
United Nations (FAO) and the Unit- can and will continue to implement nities already facing or at risk of fam-
ed Nations World Food Programme proven and scalable solutions to ad- ine or facing catastrophic conditions
(WFP) calls for urgent humanitarian dress hunger and reduce needs over of acute food insecurity.
action to save lives and livelihoods the long term,” said Cindy McCain,
and prevent starvation and death in WFP Executive Director. Chad, Lebanon, Myanmar, Mozam-
hotspots where acute hunger is at bique, Nigeria, the Syrian Arab Re-
high risk of worsening between No- “It’s time for world leaders to step up public and Yemen are hotspots of very
vember 2024 and May 2025. and work with us to reach the millions high concern, with a large number of
of people at risk of starvation – deliv- people facing critical acute food inse-
In total, 22 countries/territories are ering diplomatic solutions to con- curity, coupled with worsening driv-
classi#ed as “hunger hotspots”, where !icts, using their in!uence to enable ers that are expected to further inten-
high levels of acute food insecurity humanitarians to work safely, and sify life-threatening conditions in the
are expected to further deteriorate mobilizing the resources and partner- coming months.
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2 Vol. 40 No. 8