By Stephen Simon
The United Nations has warned that millions of people across some of the world’s most vulnerable regions could face worsening hunger in the coming months as conflicts, economic pressures, climate shocks and declining humanitarian funding continue to deepen food insecurity.
A new report released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) identified 13 countries and territories where acute food insecurity is expected to deteriorate between June and November 2026, with several areas facing an increased risk of famine.
According to the report, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine remain among the world’s most critical hunger hotspots, while northeastern Nigeria and Somalia have been added to the highest-risk category due to worsening conditions.
The UN agencies estimated that about 266 million people are currently experiencing severe food insecurity across the affected countries, warning that the situation could deteriorate further without urgent international intervention.
The report identified armed conflict as the leading driver of hunger in 12 of the 13 hotspots, noting that ongoing violence continues to disrupt farming activities, destroy livelihoods and hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance.
Economic instability and climate-related disasters have also compounded the crisis.
Particularly worrying is the situation in northeastern Nigeria, where projections indicate that parts of Borno State could experience catastrophic levels of food insecurity if urgent measures are not taken. The agencies cited a combination of conflict, displacement and economic hardship as key factors worsening conditions in the region.
The UN also expressed concern over a sharp decline in humanitarian funding. Support for food assistance, emergency agriculture programmes and nutrition interventions reportedly fell significantly in recent years, leaving aid agencies struggling to meet growing needs.
World Food Programme Acting Executive Director Carl Skau warned that the international community must act quickly to prevent the crisis from escalating.
“The warnings in this report cannot be ignored,” he said, stressing that delayed action could result in more communities sliding towards famine conditions.
The agencies called on governments, donors and development partners to increase support for food security programmes and invest in measures that strengthen local agricultural production and community resilience. They argued that early intervention remains the most effective way to save lives and reduce the long-term costs of humanitarian crises.
The warning comes amid growing concerns that climate-related disruptions and extreme weather events could further threaten food production in already vulnerable regions around the world.
