New York, SANA-A United Nations report has warned that populations in five global hunger hotspots—Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali—are facing extremely high levels of famine and the risk of starvation in the coming months, unless urgent humanitarian action and coordinated international efforts are taken to de-escalate conflicts, halt displacement, and intensify comprehensive humanitarian responses.
According to the UN News website, the “Hunger Hotspots” report—issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP)—indicates that severe food insecurity is worsening in 13 countries and regions. In addition to the five countries mentioned, the list includes Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia, and Syria.
The report emphasizes the importance of continued investment in early humanitarian action, stressing the need for preventive interventions to save lives, reduce food gaps, and protect assets and livelihoods—measures that are significantly more cost-effective than delayed responses.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu stated, “This report makes it clear that hunger is not a distant threat—it is a daily emergency for millions of people,” adding, “We must act now, collectively, to save lives and protect livelihoods.
afeguarding people’s farms and livestock to ensure continued food production, even under the harshest conditions, is not just urgent—it is essential.”
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain described the report as a “red alert,” noting that “the humanitarian community has the tools and expertise to respond,” but warned, “Without funding and access, we cannot save lives.”
Reem Abdulhameed / Manar Salameh
