Rome, June 18 (SANA) Millions of people across 13 countries face worsening acute food insecurity between June and November, with several Arab countries among the world’s most critical hunger hotspots, according to a joint report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The report, titled Hunger Hotspots, identified Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine as the areas at greatest risk due to the scale and severity of food insecurity.
In Sudan, famine is projected to threaten 14 areas, including parts of North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan, through September. The report said similar conditions are expected to persist in 13 areas during the harvest season and through December 2027.
Yemen is also expected to remain among the countries most affected by acute food insecurity this year, with an estimated 18.3 million people, nearly half the population, facing crisis-level or worse hunger.
The report noted that conditions in the Gaza Strip have improved since a ceasefire took effect in October 2025, but remain highly fragile. Around 1.6 million people continue to face acute food insecurity and require urgent assistance, including more than 500,000 experiencing emergency levels of hunger.
Nigeria and Somalia were added to the list of countries of greatest concern, with populations in Nigeria’s Borno State and Somalia’s Bay region facing catastrophic conditions and a growing risk of famine.
According to the report, armed conflict and violence remain the primary drivers of acute food insecurity in 12 of the 13 hotspots identified. Economic shocks and climate-related pressures, including the effects of El Niño, continue to worsen conditions.
FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol said early action and adequate investment are essential to reducing future humanitarian needs, stressing the importance of emergency agricultural assistance and measures that strengthen resilience and protect local food production.
WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau called for urgent action to prevent millions from being pushed toward famine by conflict and natural disasters, saying the agency stands ready to respond if sufficient resources and safe humanitarian access are secured.
The report concluded that early collective action and sustained funding are critical to saving lives and protecting livelihoods, urging the international community to expand humanitarian assistance in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
N.J/ABD
