The number of people facing acute hunger worldwide surged to a record 295 million in 2024, driven primarily by armed conflicts, economic shocks, and extreme weather events, according to the latest Global Report on Food Crises released by a UN-backed consortium.
This marks the sixth consecutive year of increasing acute food insecurity, with nearly one in four people in 53 of the 65 countries analyzed experiencing severe hunger. Moreover, the number of people on the brink of famine doubled to 1.9 million, highlighting the escalating gravity of the crisis.
Key conflict zones such as Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and Mali have witnessed catastrophic food shortages. In Gaza, prolonged Israeli blockades have pushed conditions to a 'critical risk of famine,' intensifying humanitarian concerns.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, "Hunger and malnutrition are spreading faster than our ability to respond, yet globally, a third of all food produced is lost or wasted." He underscored that hunger in the 21st century is "indefensible" and called it a "failure of humanity."
The report attributes acute hunger primarily to conflicts affecting 140 million people across 20 countries and territories. Meanwhile, extreme weather impacted 18 countries and economic crises affected 15 countries, combining to threaten 155 million people.
Despite some progress in Afghanistan and Kenya, deteriorating situations in Myanmar, Sudan, and Gaza have overshadowed improvements.
Looking ahead, the report warns of bleak prospects for 2025 due to significant cuts in humanitarian funding, with some donor countries reducing aid by up to 45 percent. This has disrupted critical food assistance programs in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.
Economic uncertainty fueled by US tariffs and a weakening US dollar is expected to exacerbate food insecurity globally. UN leadership called for urgent renewed international commitment to address the crisis before it escalates further.
